Synonyms of substitute

substitute 1 of 3

noun

ˈsəb-stə-ˌtüt 

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
• stand-in
• surrogate
• sub
• assistant
• cover
• reserve
• relief
• proxy
• fill-in
• alternate
• pinch hitter
• delegate
• deputy
• designated hitter
• locum tenens
• second
• agent
• makeshift
• representative
• stopgap
• factor
• successor
• apology
• attorney
• understudy
• assignee
• commissary
• rep
• envoy
• procurator
• reliever
• 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
• faux
• artificial
• simulated
• fake
• imitation
• dummy
• false
• mock
• imitative
• mimic
• manufactured
• ersatz
• pretend
• designer
• counterfeit
• factitious
• bogus
• sham
• process
• man-made
• deceptive
• engineered
• manipulated
• cultured
• forged
• fabricated
• adulterated
• pseudo
• concocted
• unauthentic
• misleading
• doctored
• fraudulent
• juggled
• phony
• feigned
• tampered (with)
• fudged
• affected
• pinchbeck
• spurious
• brummagem

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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
• commute
• shift
• supersede
• displace
• interchange
• yield
• surrender
• cede
• reciprocate
• hand over

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

• spell
• cover
• stand in
• sub
• fill in
• step in
• take over
• pinch-hit
• understudy
• 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
• displace
• cut out
• usurp
• preempt

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of substitute

Noun

Then Sebastian Gomez, a second-half substitute, scored his second goal in two games on an easy redirection into an empty net after Pablo Sisniega couldn't get to Hassani Dotson's cross along the end line. — ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026

Weather and other circumstances can prompt Royal Caribbean to alter or substitute ports, according to its website, and it is not necessarily required to refund fares or provide compensation. — Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026

Adjective

Applicants will have to register with the secretary of state, document a threat within the past year and receive a substitute address that government agencies must generally accept. — Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2026

The bill would provide participants in the program with a substitute address, shielding their personal information and rerouting their mail through the Secretary of State. — Sofia Williams, Sacbee.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Verb

Instead, Brammall and Dyer came close to substituting Colin with an elderly lady, before reverting to their original premise. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 20 Oct. 2026

Mugrabi has disputed that the lien was ever valid, claiming that the Basquiat was pledged as collateral in an October 2023 term sheet, but was substituted with the 1964 Andy Warhol work Jackie the following month. — Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 20 Oct. 2026