fill in for

VERB

alternate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

alter intersperse rotate vary waver

STRONG

change exchange fluctuate follow interchange oscillate relieve seesaw shift substitute sway vacillate yo-yo

WEAK

act reciprocally blow hot and cold come and go follow in turn shilly-shally

Antonyms

STRONGEST

remain stay

STRONG

hold keep persist

WEAK

continue

VERB

pinch hit

Synonyms

WEAK

act for alternate answer for back up be in place of change commute cover for deputize displace do the work of double for fill in fill one's position go as proxy relieve replace serve in one's stead spell stand for stand in stand in for sub supersede supplant supply swap swap places with switch take another's place take over

VERB

substitute

Synonyms

STRONGEST

replace supplant swap

STRONG

alternate change commute deputize displace proxy relieve spell sub supersede switch

WEAK

act for answer for back up be in place of cover for do the work of double for fill one's position go as serve in one's stead stand for stand in (for) swap places with take another's place take over

Antonyms

STRONG

continue keep

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Many senior officers have only taken their jobs within the past two years or so to fill in for purged predecessors.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 28, 2026

Delpique is known to personally fill in for a sous chef or other nonunion worker, meaning his days can start at 6 a.m. and end close to midnight.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 13, 2025

Omar Marmoush struggled to fill in for Haaland, although Bobb nearly snatched a fortuitous equaliser with a deflected cross that Flekken blocked with his leg.

From Barron's • Nov. 25, 2025

Craig Gordon is likely to fill in for Gunn, but the 42-year-old has been supplanted by summer signing Alexander Schwolow as Hearts' goalkeeper this season.

From BBC • Nov. 3, 2025

She getting her trained for when Minny have her baby and Sugar gone have to fill in for her.

From "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett

fill in for

Example Sentences

Related Words