Synonyms of substitutes

substitutes 1 of 2

noun

plural of substitute

as in replacements

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

• replacements
• backups
• surrogates
• assistants
• subs
• reserves
• proxies
• covers
• stand-ins
• reliefs
• alternates
• fill-ins
• pinch hitters
• deputies
• designated hitters
• delegates
• locum tenentes
• agents
• makeshifts
• apologies
• seconds
• factors
• representatives
• understudies
• successors
• assignees
• commissaries
• attorneys
• reps
• relievers
• stopgaps
• envoys
• procurators
• superseders

substitutes

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of substitute

1

as in swaps

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

• swaps
• exchanges
• trades
• changes
• replaces
• switches
• shifts
• commutes
• supersedes
• interchanges
• displaces
• yields
• surrenders
• cedes
• reciprocates
• hands over

2

as in spells

to serve as a replacement usually for a time only

substituting for the talk show host while she is on vacation

Synonyms & Similar Words

• spells
• subs
• covers
• stands in
• fills in
• takes over
• steps in
• pinch-hits
• understudies
• relieves
• doubles (as)

3

as in replaces

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

• replaces
• supersedes
• supplants
• relieves
• displants
• displaces
• usurps
• cuts out
• preempts

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of substitutes

Noun

Both coffee and tea can also serve as healthier substitutes for other drinks too. —Korin Miller, SELF, 7 Nov. 2025

Material World is a weekly roundup of innovations and ideas within the materials sector, covering news from emerging biomaterials and alternative leathers to sustainable substitutes and future-proof fibers. —Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 6 Nov. 2025

But five substitutes is probably too many, and has likely had the opposite impact to what was intended. —Michael Cox, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025

While Russians understand that such substitutes are not the genuine articles, many have seen efforts to recreate sporting and cultural events as a patriotic effort to rekindle Russia's Soviet-era, which Russian President Vladimir Putin frequently references with nostalgia. —Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 31 Oct. 2025

Are you destined to live a life filled solely with tofu steaks, tempeh cubes, and frozen meat substitutes? —Ana Morales, Vogue, 27 Oct. 2025

When the cost of imports rise, American firms and consumers might switch to cheaper, domestically-available substitutes. —Matt Fleming, Oc Register, 26 Oct. 2025

Research results are mixed regarding the safety of sugar substitutes during pregnancy or lactation. —Brittany Lubeck, Verywell Health, 22 Oct. 2025

Childs uses vital wheat gluten to make most of the protein-rich meat substitutes, but ingredients like tofu and hearts of palm are also used. —Bridget Fogarty, jsonline.com, 22 Oct. 2025

Verb

For some, the social capital of friends, community groups, and online donors now substitutes for financial capital. —Ashley Lutz, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2025