sub·sti·tute
ˈsəb-stə-ˌtüt 
-ˌtyüt
: a person or thing that takes the place or function of another
substitute
adjective
substituted; substituting
1
a
: to put or use in the place of another
b
: to introduce (an atom or group) as a substituent
also
: to alter (something, such as a compound) by introduction of a substituent
a substituted benzene ring
2
: to take the place of : replace
: to serve as a substitute
Synonyms
Examples of substitute in a Sentence
Noun
you'll be getting a substitute until your regular teacher is feeling better
if you like, you can use nuts as a substitute for coconut in that recipe
Verb
One of our teachers is sick, so we need someone to substitute.
They substituted real candles with electric ones.
Recent Examples on the Web
Laura Newberry, Los Angeles Times, 14 Nov. 2023
Your daughter is not a substitute for your friends.
—Haben Kelati, Washington Post, 8 Nov. 2023
Get The Recipe 14 of 35 Bacon-and-Cheddar Grits Quiche
Skip the pie crust and substitute grits for a Southern twist on quiche.
—Patricia S York, Southern Living, 6 Nov. 2023
In the unlikely event of a wine becoming unavailable, a substitute of similar style and of equal or greater value will be supplied.
—wsj.com, 1 Nov. 2023
But sometimes there is no substitute for a gun, in self-defense, or the defense of others.
—Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 30 Oct. 2023
There’s still no substitute for reading a book—including Shelley’s masterpiece—cover to cover.
—WIRED, 26 Oct. 2023
These partnerships should harness the potential of the environmental, social, and corporate governance agenda to carve out a role for the private sector in supporting peace, forge new models of geopolitical cooperation, and use aid to support peace rather than serve as a substitute for it.
—Emma Beals and Peter Salisbury, Foreign Affairs, 30 Oct. 2023
In Salem, some residents imagine eco-friendly substitutes for the wee plastic containers.
—Jenna Russell Kieran Kesner, New York Times, 29 Oct. 2023
Andrea Beck, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Nov. 2023
Corporations and other business associations are well designed to identify and pursue their own economic interests, but they are poorly suited to substitute themselves for legislatures in deciding matters of general importance to the public.
—The Editors, National Review, 17 Nov. 2023
Can be substituted with gluten-free flour if needed.
—Emily Nabors Hall, Southern Living, 11 Nov. 2023
And in the context of generally healthy diets, substituting lean, unprocessed beef for carbohydrates is linked to positive heart health outcomes.56
Gu acknowledged that their study’s findings do not mean that red meat should never be eaten.
—Nick Blackmer, Verywell Health, 2 Nov. 2023
That’s why anecdotes can’t substitute for objective research.
—Barry Markovsky, Discover Magazine, 29 Oct. 2023
However, when the participants substituted nuts and legumes for red meat in their diets, their risk of diabetes fell by 30%.
—Nick Blackmer, Verywell Health, 2 Nov. 2023
Get the Recipe 44 of 54 Persimmon Pie with Pecan Streusel
Fresh persimmons star in this pie, but can easily be substituted for the pre-pureed kind to delicious effect.
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 2 Nov. 2023
When his coach substituted him in a high school game, Mr. Knight refused to leave the court and was suspended from the team.
—Matt Schudel, Washington Post, 1 Nov. 2023
See More
Noun
Group Therapy is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health advice, diagnosis or treatment.
—Laura Newberry, Los Angeles Times, 14 Nov. 2023
Your daughter is not a substitute for your friends.
—Haben Kelati, Washington Post, 8 Nov. 2023
Get The Recipe 14 of 35 Bacon-and-Cheddar Grits Quiche
Skip the pie crust and substitute grits for a Southern twist on quiche.
—Patricia S York, Southern Living, 6 Nov. 2023
In the unlikely event of a wine becoming unavailable, a substitute of similar style and of equal or greater value will be supplied.
—wsj.com, 1 Nov. 2023
But sometimes there is no substitute for a gun, in self-defense, or the defense of others.
—Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 30 Oct. 2023
There’s still no substitute for reading a book—including Shelley’s masterpiece—cover to cover.
—WIRED, 26 Oct. 2023
These partnerships should harness the potential of the environmental, social, and corporate governance agenda to carve out a role for the private sector in supporting peace, forge new models of geopolitical cooperation, and use aid to support peace rather than serve as a substitute for it.
—Emma Beals and Peter Salisbury, Foreign Affairs, 30 Oct. 2023
In Salem, some residents imagine eco-friendly substitutes for the wee plastic containers.
—Jenna Russell Kieran Kesner, New York Times, 29 Oct. 2023
Verb
Forego the rice or quinoa, or substitute them for cauliflower rice.
—Andrea Beck, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Nov. 2023
Corporations and other business associations are well designed to identify and pursue their own economic interests, but they are poorly suited to substitute themselves for legislatures in deciding matters of general importance to the public.
—The Editors, National Review, 17 Nov. 2023
Can be substituted with gluten-free flour if needed.
—Emily Nabors Hall, Southern Living, 11 Nov. 2023
And in the context of generally healthy diets, substituting lean, unprocessed beef for carbohydrates is linked to positive heart health outcomes.56
Gu acknowledged that their study’s findings do not mean that red meat should never be eaten.
—Nick Blackmer, Verywell Health, 2 Nov. 2023
That’s why anecdotes can’t substitute for objective research.
—Barry Markovsky, Discover Magazine, 29 Oct. 2023
However, when the participants substituted nuts and legumes for red meat in their diets, their risk of diabetes fell by 30%.
—Nick Blackmer, Verywell Health, 2 Nov. 2023
Get the Recipe 44 of 54 Persimmon Pie with Pecan Streusel
Fresh persimmons star in this pie, but can easily be substituted for the pre-pureed kind to delicious effect.
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 2 Nov. 2023
When his coach substituted him in a high school game, Mr. Knight refused to leave the court and was suspended from the team.
—Matt Schudel, Washington Post, 1 Nov. 2023
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'substitute.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English, from Anglo-French substitut, from Latin substitutus, past participle of substituere to put in place of, from sub- + statuere to set up, place — more at statute
First Known Use
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined above
Verb
15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a
Time Traveler
The first known use of substitute was
in the 14th century
Phrases Containing substitute
Dictionary Entries Near substitute
Cite this Entry
“Substitute.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/substitute. Accessed 1 Dec. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
substitute
1 of 2 noun
sub·sti·tute
ˈsəb-stə-ˌt(y)üt
: a person or thing that takes the place of another
substitute
adjective
substitute
2 of 2 verb
substituted; substituting
1
: to put in the place of another : replace
2
: to serve as a substitute
substitution
noun
ˌsəb-stə-ˈt(y)ü-shən
Medical Definition
substitute
1 of 2 noun
sub·sti·tute
ˈsəb-stə-ˌt(y)üt
: a person or thing that takes the place or function of another
father and mother substitutes
substitute
adjective
substitute
2 of 2 transitive verb
substituted; substituting
: to put or use in the place of another: as
a
: to introduce (an atom or group) as a substituent
b
: to alter (as a compound) by introduction of a substituent
More from Merriam-Webster on substitute
Nglish: Translation of substitute for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of substitute for Arabic Speakers
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