The term STEPPED IN FOR can be broken down into two words, 'stepped in' and 'FOR'. The crossword solutions FOR these two words are SPELLED (7 letters) and REPLACED (8 letters). SPELLED is a verb that means to write or name the letters of a word in correct order. REPLACED is a verb that means to take the place of something or someone else. Therefore, the phrase STEPPED IN FOR can be interpreted as taking the place of someone else.