replace

1
as in to supersede
to take the place of the old street lights were replaced by more energy-efficient models

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in to return
to bring, send, or put back to a former or proper place took the fragile vase down to look at it and then gently replaced it on the shelf

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word replace distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of replace are displace, supersede, and supplant. While all these words 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

When is it sensible to use displace instead of replace?

The words displace and replace are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, displace implies an ousting or dislodging.

war had displaced thousands

When would supersede be a good substitute for replace?

While the synonyms supersede and replace are close in meaning, supersede implies replacing a person or thing that has become superannuated, obsolete, or otherwise inferior.

the new edition supersedes all previous ones

In what contexts can supplant take the place of replace?

The synonyms supplant and replace are sometimes interchangeable, but 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

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 replace After leaving his position on June 29, 2009, Souter was replaced by Obama’s appointee Sonia Sotomayor, the first Hispanic person and the third woman justice to serve on the Supreme Court. James Mercadante, People.com, 9 May 2025 Vega was replaced by Kaitlyn Felton, who got the final out of the inning. Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 May 2025 Eventually, a £400,000 scheme was agreed that would see a new roof erected, all wooden benches replaced, and the entire area concreted. Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 9 May 2025 The sites have since been replaced with a Justice Department seizure notice. Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 8 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for replace
Recent Examples of Synonyms for replace
Verb
  • January 30, 2025: Federal prosecutors filed a superseding indictment against Combs, expanding the racketeering conspiracy allegations to include two new female victims.
    Josh Campbell, CNN Money, 10 May 2025
  • Our lives on the shows supersede their own lives, become part of their daily living.
    Victoria Edel, People.com, 10 May 2025
Verb
  • Now — returning all five starters from that championship squad, including Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu and Finals MVP Jonquel Jones, and adding defensive juggernaut Natasha Cloud — the Liberty are favored to defend that championship title.
    Hannah Vanbiber, New York Times, 15 May 2025
  • Players returning from the 2024-25 roster are: Flory Bidunga, Elmarko Jackson, Jamari McDowell and Noah Shelby.
    Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 15 May 2025
Verb
  • Two years ago, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass laid out an ambitious and expensive goal for her first city budget: restore the size of the Los Angeles Police Department to 9,500 officers.
    David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2025
  • Properly restoring a 280 SL can be an eye-wateringly expensive proposition, as the cars, while simple in appearance, are fastidiously made and require equally fastidious attention to detail when being rebuilt from the ground up.
    Robert Ross, Robb Report, 9 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Replace.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/replace. Accessed 20 May. 2025.

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