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
Walmart will remove artificial dyes and 30 other additives — such as artificial sweeteners, fat substitutes and various preservatives — from its US private-brand food and beverage products, the company announced Wednesday. Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025 These ingredients are used in certain preservatives, fat substitutes and artificial sweeteners, Walmart said. Serenah McKay, Arkansas Online, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
The 30-year-old has gone from being fourth-choice goalkeeper at Wolves, making one substitute appearance in his two seasons at Molineux, to third-choice at Everton. Tim Spiers, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2025 However, critics say just about anyone could claim to be a substitute caregiver under the legislation’s loose definition, thereby potentially endangering children rather than protecting them. Dan Walters, Oc Register, 21 Aug. 2025
Verb
Junior quarterback Leo Stalsberg — substituting for senior starter Cedric Tomes, who’s out with a broken finger — completed 2 of 10 pass attempts for 25 yards. Tris Wykes, Twin Cities, 27 Sep. 2025 This article is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 26 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for substitute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for substitute
Noun
  • Even where bans are in place, the chemicals produced as replacements can be just as harmful, if not more so, Trasande said.
    Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2025
  • The news comes in the wake of the departure of Paramount’s global marketing and distribution boss Marc Weinstock and the imminent arrival of his replacement, former Warner Bros and Universal marketing czar Josh Goldstine.
    Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • For one, all THC-like intoxicating compounds and synthetic or lab-made cannabinoids would be prohibited.
    Gina Lee Castro, jsonline.com, 3 Oct. 2025
  • American food giants like Walmart’s Great Value brand, General Mills, Kraft Heinz and more are pledging to remove additives like synthetic dyes, certain preservatives and artificial sweeteners from their foods.
    Stephen J. Beard, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Some workers, whose programs have alternative funding sources, continue to be paid on time.
    Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 8 Oct. 2025
  • At Ares Management's analyst day last month, the alternative asset manager quietly bumped up its three-year fundraising targets by 25%.
    Leslie Picker, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Since the African Growth and Opportunity Act was implemented in 2000, sub-Saharan African nations have exchanged goods duty-free with the US, boosting trans-Atlantic trade.
    Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 30 Sep. 2025
  • That calmness, however, was soon overtaken by the kitchen, with the hiss of the pans, stir of the pots and sharp calls exchanged between cooks quickly filling the air, along with the sounds of an upbeat Peruvian song playing in the background.
    Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • This summer, the Mavericks also brought in free agent guard D'Angelo Russell to spell the injured Irving.
    Alex Kirschenbaum, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Oct. 2025
  • That spells production for this Miami offense, right?
    Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 5 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In 2020-21 though, a term which ended with Chelsea winning the Champions League, Abraham found himself down the pecking order after Thomas Tuchel replaced Frank Lampard as manager in the January.
    Liam Tharme, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Several companies, including Ace Hardware and power tool makers Milwaukee Tool and STIHL, have supported the New York measure as a way to help offset the costs of lawn care companies replacing older equipment.
    Mike Snider, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The elastic waistband stretches to move with you, and the pants come with faux buttons to make slipping them on a breeze.
    Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 2 Oct. 2025
  • The Philadelphia Eagles create a faux baseball game, Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill used to mimic a potato sack race, and so on.
    Tyler Palmateer, Nashville Tennessean, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The divisions included endurance and sports race cars, supercars, flat track motorcycles, sprint cars, drift cars, vintage IndyCars, NASCAR, ASF Cup cars (American Speed Festival) and a new group called LROC (Ladies Race of Champions).
    Keenan Thompson, Freep.com, 6 Oct. 2025
  • That was just one of the findings of a new statewide health survey -- just the second in the country -- that was announced Thursday by the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.
    Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Substitute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/substitute. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

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