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
Ángel, a second-half substitute, scored with a right-footed shot from the center of the box to the upper left central zone. Apress, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 June 2025 Seltzer, tea, and diluted juice are all healthy substitutes for diet soda. Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 26 June 2025
Verb
Musician Glen Campbell was substituted for tour dates after that point. Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 11 June 2025 Herrera had already been substituted after going off injured in the 20th-minute and was shown a straight red card when the referee was informed of his behaviour. Dan Sheldon, New York Times, 20 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for substitute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for substitute
Noun
  • Use it as an assistant for your work, not as a replacement.
    Rachel Wells, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
  • Hershey had announced in January that Michele Buck, who had been CEO for over seven years, would retire next year and would transition to a senior advisor role once a replacement was named.
    Neil J Kanatt, USA Today, 9 July 2025
Adjective
  • Commissioner of the Food and Drugs Administration Marty Makary speaks at a news conference on removing synthetic dyes from America’s food supply, at the Health and Human Services Headquarters in Washington, DC on April 22, 2025.
    Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 11 July 2025
  • Big ideas that were previously just dreams—such as using AI and big data to build synthetic control arms, conduct post-market analysis, or assist with scientific reviews—are now becoming a reality.
    MSNBC Newsweek, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025
Adjective
  • The 28-year-old trades her ethereal R&B sound for a lean into alternative female rage.
    Michael Saponara, Billboard, 1 July 2025
  • So far, the country's outbound shipments have held up relatively strong over the past two months, as exporters pivoted to alternative markets, notably Southeast Asian countries and European Union nations.
    Anniek Bao, CNBC, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • While chasing the suspect later in the morning, officers exchanged gunfire with the man and killed him.
    Claudia Levens, jsonline.com, 8 July 2025
  • The noon Christmas in July event began with a lunch, then residents exchanged gifts during a popular seasonal game called white elephant – where typically low-cost items or interesting things lying around the house are wrapped and put in play.
    Jesse Wright, Chicago Tribune, 8 July 2025
Verb
  • As mentioned in the aforementioned Instagram video, for some kids who are neurodiverse, a summer that lacks structure and routine may spell disaster.
    Tabitha St. Bernard-Jacobs, Parents, 3 July 2025
  • Intriguingly, including an annual rodeo event in Music City's lineup of regular events could spell even more significant income in the years to come.
    Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
Verb
  • Andrew Vorhees is the clear favorite to replace Patrick Mekari at left guard and Nate Wiggins will be a Day 1 starter at outside corner in place of Brandon Stephens.
    Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 8 July 2025
  • There are no long tubes, no extra pieces, and no filters to replace.
    Kaitlyn Gomez, USA Today, 8 July 2025
Adjective
  • Save on a new faux leather crossbody from Vera Bradley for an impressive 76 percent off, a pair of cork footbed sandals that resemble popular styles worn by Sandra Bullock and Reese Witherspoon.
    Ali Faccenda, People.com, 9 July 2025
  • Without it, as inequality worsens, the next populist may not be a faux champion of the people, but a genuine anti-capitalist insurgent.
    Dan Perry, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 July 2025
Adjective
  • The mayor has yet to internalize how much City Hall’s elaborate bait-and-switch on voters in winning approval of much-higher-than-promised new trash fees on 226,000-plus single-family homes has damaged his reputation.
    U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 July 2025
  • The veteran outfielder has been trying to adjust to a new role as a platoon DH this season.
    Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 12 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Substitute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/substitute. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.

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