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
But this being New York election law, there is probably a way around it by having the initial LG pick drop out and be replaced with a substitute. New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 16 June 2025 That style is now the coin of the realm on the left: the guilt trip and temper tantrum as substitutes for arguments. The Editors, National Review, 11 June 2025
Verb
Sourcing Journal reserves the right to substitute prizes of equal or greater value. Sourcing Journal, 12 June 2025 Other firm-fleshed fish, such as swordfish, tuna and salmon, can be substituted for the halibut. Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 10 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for substitute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for substitute
Noun
  • Kepler’s in-house replacement would be Justin Crawford, the 21-year-old outfield prospect who is slashing .332/.408/.435 with 26 steals at Triple A.
    Anthony Stitt, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
  • The only maintenance needed is the occasional battery replacement, which will typically be signaled with a beep from the device.
    Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 June 2025
Adjective
  • In Canada and in Europe — where synthetic colors are required to carry warning labels — manufacturers mostly use natural substitutes.
    Michelle Chapman, Chicago Tribune, 17 June 2025
  • Shifting lights, soft colors, and synthetic materials make the space feel strange but calming.
    Nel-Olivia Waga, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
Adjective
  • Some have managed to exit via land crossings into Jordan and Egypt, while others are seeking alternative routes by sea or through neighboring airports.
    Amanda Castro Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 June 2025
  • At the moment, college and women’s pro sports offer alternative structures, though that too is changing.
    Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 19 June 2025
Verb
  • The magnetic appeal of Longboat Key after many visits as well as aging parents nearby had motivated us to exchange Wisconsin winters for seaside living in the Sunshine State.
    Michelle Johnson, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
  • Shares of private company can be exchanged by accredited investors in secondary markets; Republic will initially price SpaceX tokens based on how the company’s shares are performing there.
    Tanaya Macheel, CNBC, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • The family name, Vajra, is an ancient way of spelling the family’s surname, Vaira.
    Irene S. Levine, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
  • Earlier this month, a group of Cuban detainees at the facility protested the conditions by aligning their bodies in the recreation yard of the facility to spell SOS.
    Churchill Ndonwie, Miami Herald, 24 June 2025
Verb
  • Before the referee had even dropped the whistle from his mouth, Erling Haaland galloped onto the pitch with a coach clearly tasked with readying him to replace Omar Marmoush at the break.
    Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 27 June 2025
  • He was replaced by David Richardson, a DHS official who has no prior emergency management experience.
    Rebecca Hersher, NPR, 26 June 2025
Adjective
  • There are epic style moments in the new series, including one segment where Ashanti wears a white faux fur coat.
    Nadja Sayej, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
  • Amid all the showmanship on Thursday, hosted by a faux Austin Powers, there will be retro music and dancing.
    Ben Crandell, Sun Sentinel, 25 June 2025
Adjective
  • Over at Brooks’s, Shai comes over and teaches him how to use his new sewing machine, which is a fascinating dynamic because Shai is an agent’s assistant while Brooks is a clothing designer.
    Tom Smyth, Vulture, 18 June 2025
  • Arrange, launched in March 2025, is ASOS' new premium line that combines directional design with a distinctively feminine aesthetic, perfect for standout summer moments.
    Brin Snelling, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Substitute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/substitute. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on substitute

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!