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

Clean energy systems are not just lower-carbon substitutes for fossil fuels. —Maria Mendiluce, Time, 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

Material World is a weekly roundup of innovations and ideas within the materials sector, covering what’s changing in how fashion is made, scaled or engineered from emerging biomaterials and alternative leathers to sustainable substitutes and future-proof fibers. —Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 29 Jan. 2026

Howe could only name seven substitutes, including two keepers. —George Caulkin, New York Times, 28 Jan. 2026

Conversely, economic slowdown could pressure silver more severely than gold, as industrial users might seek substitutes or reduce consumption when prices remain elevated. —Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026

But such divulgences were in fact useful substitutes for conflict. —Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026

Previous celebrity substitutes have included Rauw Alejandro and Camila Cabello. —Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 24 Jan. 2026

In China, government control substitutes for independent board governance. —Steven Wolfe Pereira, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026

Verb

Target’s four-person meal costs less than $20, about the same as in 2024, but substitutes green beans and cream of mushroom soup for French bread and frozen corn — also not an apples-to-apples comparison. —Dave Smith, Fortune, 8 Nov. 2025