substitute 1 of 3

substitute

2 of 3

adjective

substitute

3 of 3

verb

1
as in to exchange
to give up (something) and take something else in return can I substitute coleslaw for potato salad if I order the chicken plate?

Synonyms & Similar Words

2
as in to spell
to serve as a replacement usually for a time only substituting for the talk show host while she is on vacation

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
as in to replace
to take the place of "John Doe," "Jane Doe," and "Baby Doe" substituted the real names of the parties involved to preserve their privacy

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of substitute
Noun
His final appearance as a Rapid was a 15-minute substitute appearance last month against the Galaxy. Braidon Nourse, Denver Post, 19 July 2025 Last year, Medicare spent over $10 billion on dubious bandages—called skin substitutes—that come with eye-popping prices. Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 17 July 2025
Verb
Judge Irv Maze is substituting in the seventh division of Jefferson Circuit Court while Judge Melissa Logan Bellows is out on a leave of absence. Stephanie Kuzydym, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025 Kalidou Koulibaly’s header put Al-Hilal back into the lead in extra-time, but substitutes Rayan Cherki and Foden combined to send the match to a thrilling conclusion. George Ramsay, CNN Money, 1 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for substitute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for substitute
Noun
  • The Rays have potential replacements in Joe Boyle and rehabbing ace Shane McClanahan.
    Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 July 2025
  • Either way, Powell's replacement could have a significant effect on financial markets.
    James Bickerton, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 July 2025
Adjective
  • But there’s alignment between the parties on regulating deepfake pornography and synthetic child abuse material, which could kickstart a series of legislative actions, Sexton said.
    Rachyl Jones, semafor.com, 23 July 2025
  • The deadly synthetic opioid has been covered in books and research papers and articles, including many published by inewsource, the nonprofit San Diego newsroom where Self is the managing editor.
    Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 July 2025
Adjective
  • However, there's an alternative hypothesis: The star may have been stripped apart a piece at a time, forming a stream of material around the black hole.
    Keith Cooper, Space.com, 25 July 2025
  • The more heated that Cornyn and Paxton’s clashes get, the more chatter there is about possible alternative candidates; Jackson and Rep. Wesley Hunt, R-Texas, are on that list.
    Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 25 July 2025
Verb
  • Police said the four teens attempted to rob Batey when gunfire was exchanged.
    Craig Shoup, Nashville Tennessean, 18 July 2025
  • One ad features past praise exchanged between Trump and Epstein, implying deeper ties to the disgraced financier.
    Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 July 2025
Verb
  • Just ahead of his arrival, reports surfaced about Anthony Richardson that could spell bad news for the former Giants QB. Midway through last season, the Giants decided to end their experiment with Jones under center.
    Kevin McCormick, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 July 2025
  • Underneath the headline number, though, there were a few categories that saw the sort of sharp increase that might spell the dwindling pretariff inventories.
    Paolo Confino, Fortune, 17 July 2025
Verb
  • The roof began going green in 2010, when the Detroit-Wayne Joint Building Authority and property management company Hines started replacing crumbling portions with sedum in the name of sustainability.
    Violet Ikonomova, Freep.com, 21 July 2025
  • But to achieve that Miami needs to address some pressing questions about a unit that will be replacing Jalen Ramsey, Jevon Holland, Calais Campbell, Emmanuel Ogbah, Kendall Fuller, Jordan Poyer and Anthony Walker Jr., seven of last year’s 11 defensive starters.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 20 July 2025
Adjective
  • Morrow wore all Coach: a faux fur cheetah coat with mom-style denim jeans and a black leather bustier top.
    Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 21 July 2025
  • With six colors to choose from, this luxe faux leather passport holder may just become your new favorite travel accessory.
    Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 20 July 2025
Adjective
  • That's why the family was so heartened to welcome back customers, old and new.
    Bahar Anooshahr, AZCentral.com, 24 July 2025
  • The sports arena floated as a solution to save the State Fair site never materialized, but new buildings did begin to replace the old on the fairgrounds, including a 1,000-seat amphitheater in 1974 and a new Coliseum in 1976.
    Chris Foran, jsonline.com, 24 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Substitute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/substitute. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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