supplant

verb

sup·​plant sə-ˈplant How to pronounce supplant (audio)
supplanted; supplanting; supplants

transitive verb

1
: to supersede (another) especially by force or treachery
2
a(1)
obsolete : uproot
(2)
: to eradicate and supply a substitute for
efforts to supplant the vernacular
b
: to take the place of and serve as a substitute for especially by reason of superior excellence or power
supplantation noun
supplanter noun
Choose the Right Synonym for supplant

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 supplant in a Sentence

old traditions that were fading away and being supplanted by modern ways
Recent Examples on the Web For one thing, Madonna is no longer the most famous and influential music artist in the world – having been most recently supplanted by Taylor Swift and Beyonce. Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2024 Although cassettes are no longer widely available in Egypt, having been supplanted everywhere by digital technology, their legacy of democratizing opinion and expression is still palpable. Andrew Simon, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2024 The euphoria that swept this city after back-to-back Super Bowl wins by its beloved Chiefs now seemed a distant memory, supplanted by shock and sadness. Ray Sanchez, CNN, 18 Feb. 2024 That’s a long way from Carta’s 40,000, but since our list seeks to honor those innovators with momentum, Pulley has supplanted Carta on the list. Jeff Kauflin, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2024 Venice Carnival Venice supplanted Rome as the main site of Italian Carnival festivities by the 18th century. Elizabeth Djinis, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Feb. 2024 In India and abroad, there is no shortage of excitement about the prospect of India’s supplanting China in at least some part of global supply chains. Alex Travelli, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2024 Krieg was benched in that game and replaced by Jim Zorn, whom Krieg himself had supplanted during the regular season. Journal Sentinel, 17 Jan. 2024 If the next entry can maintain this ratio of success, the trilogy could supplant the original as the definitive Final Fantasy experience. Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 22 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'supplant.' 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

Middle English, from Anglo-French supplanter, from Latin supplantare to trip up, cause to stumble, from sub- + planta sole of the foot — more at place

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of supplant was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near supplant

Cite this Entry

“Supplant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/supplant. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

supplant

verb
sup·​plant sə-ˈplant How to pronounce supplant (audio)
1
: to take the place of (another) especially by force or treachery
2
a
: to root out and supply a substitute for
b
: to gain the place of and serve as a substitute for especially by reason of superior excellence or power
supplantation noun
supplanter noun

More from Merriam-Webster on supplant

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!