substitute

noun

sub·sti·tute | \ ˈsəb-stə-ˌtüt

, -ˌtyüt\

Definition of substitute

(Entry 1 of 2)

: a person or thing that takes the place or function of another

substitute

verb

substituted; substituting

Definition of substitute (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1a : 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

intransitive verb

: to serve as a substitute

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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: Noun

The ballooning gluten-free market means finding substitutes for wheat foods (pretzels, crackers, bread and more) is not hard these days. — Becky Krystal, Houston Chronicle, "When it comes to food allergies, how to help your kids snack smarter," 10 Sep. 2019 While his classmates froze in fear, a Central Florida kindergartner ran to get help after their 67-year-old substitute teacher fell and hit her head. — Tiffini Theisen, orlandosentinel.com, "Central Florida kindergartner hailed as hero for helping save substitute teacher’s life," 5 Sep. 2019 Farmers who refuse to see this handwriting on the wall, especially after Newsom’s move, could be left struggling to find a substitute when the actual ban arrives in 2021. — Thomas D. Elias, The Mercury News, "Opinion: The end in sight for a perilous pesticide in California," 3 Sep. 2019 The ballooning gluten-free market means finding substitutes for wheat foods (pretzels, crackers, bread, and more) is not hard these days. — Becky Krystal, BostonGlobe.com, "Tips for packing school lunches and snacks in the era of food allergies," 2 Sep. 2019 David Flood, 63, was working as a substitute teacher and finishing a master’s degree in interdisciplinary studies at Southern Oregon University. — Wendy Grossman Kantor, PEOPLE.com, "Oregon Woman Turns School Buses Into Tiny Homes for Working Homeless Families," 1 Sep. 2019 The ballooning gluten-free market means finding substitutes for wheat foods (pretzels, crackers, bread and more) is not hard these days. — Becky Krystal, Washington Post, "When it comes to food allergies, how to help your kids snack smarter," 30 Aug. 2019 There’s also rising pressure on manufacturers to find substitutes for thin plastic and other difficult-to-recycle materials. — Devin Kelly, Anchorage Daily News, "How a decision by the Chinese government reverberates into your Anchorage recycling bin," 6 June 2019 There would simply be no reason to find any substitute for Parmesan cheese, the undisputed heavyweight champion of hard, salty, tangy dairy products. — Alex Delany, Bon Appetit, "3 (Cheaper!) Substitutes for Parmesan Cheese," 11 June 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Wine may have been the starting point for spritzes, but the recipe slowly evolved, first substituting flat water for the lift of bubbly soda water, then progressively supplementing the flavors with fortified wines and progressively, liqueurs. — Lauren Hubbard, Town & Country, "The History of the Aperol Spritz," 24 Aug. 2019 This nonalcoholic riff picks up many of the original drink’s notes, substituting rich, smoky lapsang souchong black tea for the Islay whisky in the original. — M. Carrie Allan, The Denver Post, "No alcohol, no problem: How to make complex, balanced zero-proof cocktails," 23 Aug. 2019 Blame the producers, who constantly switch and substitute obstacles, keeping each week’s configuration a secret until the last moment. — Los Angeles Times, "An inside look at the subculture of athletes who have devoted their lives to ‘American Ninja Warrior’," 22 Aug. 2019 Cocktail Same ingredients as above 1 1/2 ounces London dry gin Instructions: Prepare in the same manner as above, substituting 2 ounces of the prepared tea with the gin. — ExpressNews.com, "Recipe: Razzmintazz Smash Iced Tea," 21 Aug. 2019 This nonalcoholic riff picks up many of the original drink’s notes, substituting rich, smoky lapsang souchong black tea for the Islay whisky in the original. — M. Carrie Allan, Twin Cities, "No alcohol, no problem: How to make complex, balanced zero-proof cocktails," 19 Aug. 2019 That allows him of course an instant area of support and legitimacy that substitutes the lack of support within his own party. — CBS News, "Transcript: Juan Cruz talks with Michael Morell on "Intelligence Matters"," 14 Aug. 2019 The border region of Lombardy adopted blue-veined cheese over mozzarella, and substituted rice for the ubiquitous Italian pasta. — Jim Kempton, Orange County Register, "Follow the French: A look at the French influence on cuisine around the world," 2 Aug. 2019 For further reductions, substitute plain yogurt for mayo. — Claire Perez, sun-sentinel.com, "Carrot raisin salad, two ways," 26 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'substitute.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.