replace

verb

re·​place ri-ˈplās 

replaced; replacing; replaces

transitive verb

1

: to restore to a former place or position

replace cards in a file

2

: to take the place of especially as a substitute or successor

3

: to put something new in the place of

replace a worn carpet

replaceable

ri-ˈplā-sə-bəl 

adjective

replacer noun

Synonyms

• cut out
• displace
• displant
• relieve
• substitute
• supersede
• supplant

Choose the Right Synonym for replace

replace, displace, supplant, supersede mean to put out of a usual or proper place or into the place of another.

replace implies a filling of a place once occupied by something lost, destroyed, or no longer usable or adequate.

replaced the broken window

displace implies an ousting or dislodging.

war had displaced thousands

supplant implies either a dispossessing or usurping of another's place, possessions, or privileges or an uprooting of something and its replacement with something else.

was abruptly supplanted in her affections by another

supersede implies replacing a person or thing that has become superannuated, obsolete, or otherwise inferior.

the new edition supersedes all previous ones

Examples of replace in a Sentence

Will computers ever completely replace books?

Paper bags have been largely replaced by plastic bags.

She was hired to replace the previous manager.

I replaced the old rug with a new one.

They recently replaced the old phone system.

The team's manager was replaced last season.

The patient needed a transfusion to replace lost blood.

They've appointed a new minister to replace the one who just retired.

I guess it's finally time to replace the stove.

He carefully replaced the vase on the shelf.

Recent Examples on the Web

The deafening clang of machinery fades into the background, replaced by the dull ache of a throbbing injury. —Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 18 Apr. 2024

To replace Garvey, the board hired interim superintendent James Heiden at a special meeting Dec. 18, 2023, according to meeting minutes. —Alec Johnson, Journal Sentinel, 18 Apr. 2024

Arias’s cancer-prone blood cells needed to be destroyed and replaced with healthy ones taken from the bone marrow or blood of a donor who matched him biologically. —Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 18 Apr. 2024

The concrete bungalows were replaced by modern buildings that looked more like a suburban development than a city housing project. —Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2024

The 11-year-old iconic bi-pedal giant will be replaced by a much lighter, all electric successor. —Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 17 Apr. 2024

Peltz, meanwhile, was seeking to replace Maria Elena Lagomasino on the board, but only received 370,974,890 votes, compared to Lagomasino’s 749,857,222, with the current director beating him by a two to one margin. —Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Apr. 2024

The Chouteau Courts apartment complex replaced part of the hollow until its closure and demolition between 2018 and 2020. —Sarah Biegelsen, Kansas City Star, 17 Apr. 2024

For example, Costco stores within the city of San Diego have voluntarily replaced foam meat trays with biodegradable plastic trays. —David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1587, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

replace

verb

re·​place ri-ˈplās 

1

: to put back in a proper or former place

replace a card in a file

2

: to take the place of

paper money has replaced gold coins

3

: to put something new in the place of

replace a broken dish

replaceable

-ˈplā-sə-bəl 

adjective