Thesaurus results for SUBSTITUTING

substituting

verb

present participle of substitute

as in exchanging

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

Relevance

as in covering

to serve as a replacement usually for a time only substituting for the talk show host while she is on vacation

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in replacing

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 substituting The problem of companies substituting hemp for marijuana dates to 2018, when Congress legalized hemp, a close cousin of marijuana that has only trace amounts of THC, the psychoactive compound that makes people high. —

Christopher Osher, ProPublica, 15 May 2026 The restaurant also has vegan versions of many of its most popular menu items, substituting meat for falafel and its aioli and tzatziki sauces with lemon-herb tahini dressing. —

Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 12 May 2026 According to report last month by Morgan Stanley, there are signs the pill is already expanding the market – that is, customers aren’t just those substituting pens for pills, but many are GLP-1 newcomers. —

Anna Cooban, CNN Money, 7 May 2026 These changes were to be achieved by increasing the consumption of fruits and vegetables, decreasing the consumption of meat and eggs, and substituting nonfat milk for whole milk. —

Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Apr. 2026 For a smoky kick, try substituting mezcal for the tequila. —

Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 27 Apr. 2026 Farke responded by substituting Bijol for Joe Rodon, who was much more confident in carrying the ball forward, and James Justin for Stach. —

Beren Cross, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026 Here opposites — classy and brassy — are distractions, with odd-couple joking substituting for something more substantial. —

Frank Rizzo, Variety, 23 Apr. 2026 For consistent results, weigh your salt or use proper conversions when substituting between kosher and table salt. —

Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 23 Apr. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for substituting

Verb

Co-stars Adèle Exarchopoulos, Sara Giraudeau and Mathilde Roehrich could be seen exchanging hugs and the plaudits continued.

— Tom Tapp, Deadline, 17 May 2026
Meanwhile, a broadcast camera showed his Dodgers teammates Emmet Sheehan, Justin Wrobleski and Tommy Edman exchanging glances and trying to stifle laughter at their catcher’s reaction.

— Paloma Chavez, PEOPLE, 15 May 2026