substitute 1 of 3

Definition of substitutenext

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
In a nation lacking Roman ruins or Mesoamerican pyramids, the antebellum mansions of the Old South play a nearly perfect substitute. Joe Sills, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026 In Mapleton Public Schools, 66 teachers called out, and district officials were able to fill most of the absences with substitutes, Johnson said. Bruce Finley, Denver Post, 30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
Georgia was attending college part time and working as a substitute grade-school teacher. Bob Cary, Outdoor Life, 15 Oct. 2025 Last month, Mayor Cavalier Johnson's administration proposed a change to the city's vehicle registration through a substitute ordinance that would see the annual fee jump from $30 to $40. Vanessa Swales, jsonline.com, 9 Oct. 2025
Verb
The Frenchman was then substituted at the break. Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026 This article is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Kaitlyn Gomez, USA Today, 1 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for substitute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for substitute
Noun
  • Lee is coming off a knee replacement, which means the former USDHS and UC San Diego standout may soon be kicking the ball around with her team.
    Steve Brand, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Feb. 2026
  • In this sense, it can be thought of as less of a replacement for things like air conditioning, but rather a cooling buffer or kind of capacitor.
    Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • The synthetic present isn’t going away.
    Dean DeBiase, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
  • Inspired by the shape of a horse’s hoof, Le Perfecteur brush is crafted from synthetic fibre bristles that don’t absorb pigments, but rather deposit them evenly across the skin for ample coverage with little product.
    Kiana Murden, Vogue, 23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • As silicon scaling slows and energy costs climb, multiple alternative computing paradigms are emerging in parallel.
    Matthew S Williams, Interesting Engineering, 5 Feb. 2026
  • Still, no one knew for sure when the word would officially come down; that’s how, for example, Rob Mills, the executive VP of unscripted and alternative entertainment for Walt Disney TV, found out while attending the Realscreen convention in Miami.
    Michael Schneider, Variety, 4 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Prosecutors allege the defendants sold meal packs intended for vulnerable families overseas and exchanged millions in benefits for cash.
    Jennifer Nassour, Boston Herald, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Other local volunteers come by regularly to bring him coffee and baked goods, or to exchange news.
    Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 26 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • After more than a decade of success, the 2000s saw a recession that some thought might spell the end of the space sim genre.
    Alan Bradley, Space.com, 31 Jan. 2026
  • Lightfoot performed well when rushing the passer when spelling Bain and Mesidor.
    Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 31 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • While there is broad agreement that the nine-member presidential council should step aside after failing to make headway against gangs or oversee the organization of elections, consensus has broken down over what and who should replace it.
    JACQUELINE CHARLES MIAMI HERALD, Arkansas Online, 6 Feb. 2026
  • The suburbs have spread like a virus, replacing trees and foliage with concrete and stucco.
    Felicia Feaster, AJC.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Trendy colors, faux wood, and farmhouse styles date quickly or clash with architecture.
    Ashlyn Needham, The Spruce, 4 Feb. 2026
  • The Hana style is particularly rich-looking, on-sale, and comes in a ton of colorways (the brown faux shearling style is just so fun).
    Annie Blackman, InStyle, 4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • This work offers a new platform for designing efficient photo-electrocatalysts and advancing next-generation solar–electrochemical energy conversion systems.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 6 Feb. 2026
  • Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase faced additional allegations of rigging pitches to benefit bettors in a new document filed on Thursday.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 6 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Substitute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/substitute. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.

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