Synonyms of substitute

substitute 1 of 3

noun

as in replacement

a person or thing that takes the place of another

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• replacement
• backup
• surrogate
• sub
• stand-in
• assistant
• reserve
• proxy
• alternate
• cover
• relief
• fill-in
• pinch hitter
• designated hitter
• delegate
• deputy
• locum tenens
• second
• understudy
• makeshift
• stopgap
• agent
• representative
• successor
• apology
• factor
• attorney
• commissary
• assignee
• rep
• reliever
• envoy
• procurator
• superseder

substitute

2 of 3

adjective

1

as in synthetic

being such in appearance only and made with or manufactured from usually cheaper materials

substitute wools that supposedly have the look and feel of cashmere

Synonyms & Similar Words

• synthetic
• imitation
• faux
• artificial
• fake
• simulated
• dummy
• mimic
• mock
• imitative
• false
• pretend
• manufactured
• ersatz
• counterfeit
• designer
• factitious
• bogus
• man-made
• sham
• process
• manipulated
• engineered
• doctored
• pseudo
• fabricated
• forged
• deceptive
• adulterated
• concocted
• cultured
• juggled
• pinchbeck
• misleading
• phony
• fraudulent
• feigned
• unauthentic
• fudged
• affected
• tampered (with)
• phoney
• brummagem
• spurious

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• real
• natural
• genuine
• legitimate
• true
• valuable
• authentic
• pure
• bona fide
• quality
• premium
• unadulterated

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• real
• natural
• genuine
• legitimate
• true
• valuable
• authentic
• pure
• bona fide
• quality
• premium
• unadulterated

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2

as in alternative

taking the place of one that came before

had to find substitute transportation during the bus strike

Synonyms & Similar Words

• alternative
• alternate
• new
• another
• substitutive
• makeshift
• other
• extra
• pinch
• second
• different
• equivalent
• separate
• improvised
• spare
• utility
• jury
• successive

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• original
• former
• first
• same
• equal
• identical
• permanent
• lasting

• original
• former
• first
• same
• equal
• identical
• permanent
• lasting

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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

• exchange
• swap
• trade
• change
• replace
• switch
• shift
• interchange
• commute
• supersede
• displace
• yield
• cede
• surrender
• hand over
• reciprocate

2

as in to sub

to serve as a replacement usually for a time only

substituting for the talk show host while she is on vacation

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sub
• spell
• understudy
• step in
• stand in
• cover
• pinch-hit
• fill in
• take over
• relieve
• double (as)

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

• replace
• supersede
• supplant
• relieve
• displant
• usurp
• displace
• preempt
• cut out