1
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
2
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
3
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
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Recent Examples of substituting
If Calvados apple liqueur is unavailable for the glaze, substituting water works wonderfully.
—
Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Oct. 2025
Because of this, nutritionist Leticia Carrera, director of the center Felicidad Carrera, advises always eating pulses with brown rice and substituting the combination for meat two to three times a week—at least.
—Ana Morales, Vogue, 27 Oct. 2025
Maduro is widely believed to have lost the 2024 presidential election to rival Edmundo González, a candidate substituting Machado, yet still claimed victory.
—David Smilde, The Conversation, 10 Oct. 2025
William wrote Temple out of his will, substituting his granddaughter.
—Stacy Schiff, The Atlantic, 8 Oct. 2025
Junior quarterback Leo Stalsberg — substituting for senior starter Cedric Tomes, who’s out with a broken finger — completed 2 of 10 pass attempts for 25 yards.
—Tris Wykes, Twin Cities, 27 Sep. 2025
On the technical side of things, this jacket places warm fleece in just the right spots to keep you warm, substituting in lighter material on the sides, sleeves, and lower torso to allow room to breathe.
—Alice Bennett, Travel + Leisure, 25 Sep. 2025
Leucovorin, or folinic acid, can counteract those effects by substituting for folate and allowing the body’s folate processes to continue functioning in the presence of methotrexate.
—Alice Park, Time, 23 Sep. 2025
Emotivism is substituting for moral judgment on politics.
—Stephen Kent, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Oct. 2025
Because of this, nutritionist Leticia Carrera, director of the center Felicidad Carrera, advises always eating pulses with brown rice and substituting the combination for meat two to three times a week—at least.
—Ana Morales, Vogue, 27 Oct. 2025
Maduro is widely believed to have lost the 2024 presidential election to rival Edmundo González, a candidate substituting Machado, yet still claimed victory.
—David Smilde, The Conversation, 10 Oct. 2025
William wrote Temple out of his will, substituting his granddaughter.
—Stacy Schiff, The Atlantic, 8 Oct. 2025
Junior quarterback Leo Stalsberg — substituting for senior starter Cedric Tomes, who’s out with a broken finger — completed 2 of 10 pass attempts for 25 yards.
—Tris Wykes, Twin Cities, 27 Sep. 2025
On the technical side of things, this jacket places warm fleece in just the right spots to keep you warm, substituting in lighter material on the sides, sleeves, and lower torso to allow room to breathe.
—Alice Bennett, Travel + Leisure, 25 Sep. 2025
Leucovorin, or folinic acid, can counteract those effects by substituting for folate and allowing the body’s folate processes to continue functioning in the presence of methotrexate.
—Alice Park, Time, 23 Sep. 2025
Emotivism is substituting for moral judgment on politics.
—Stephen Kent, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for substituting
Verb
-
There, Chinese security officials said the two sides are again exchanging information on how smugglers alter their tactics.—
Janis Mackey Frayer,
NBC news,
29 Oct. 2025
-
The Internet of Senses extends connectivity from exchanging information to exchanging experiences.—
Mallik Tatipamula,
IEEE Spectrum,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Former President Bill Clinton arrived at the New York City Marathon finish line Sunday with a bandage covering the tip of his nose.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
2 Nov. 2025
-
The Pentagon recently imposed the most stringent access restrictions of the term, requiring that all reporters covering the Defense Department in person sign a restrictive press policy prohibiting them from soliciting any information the department has not authorized for release.—
Scott Nover,
Arkansas Online,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
After replacing original director Christopher Landon, Williamson will be directing a Scream for the first time, after scripting the first, second, and fourth installments.—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Miami’s priority should have been, and now evidently was, replacing Grier with a proven, accomplished GM given the power to replace or retain McDaniel for one more try.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
As the weather quickly cools, swapping your sheets can do wonders for your sleep.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Some states prohibit swapping license plates on vehicles.—
NPR,
NPR,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Try spelling the word customer backward.—
Neil Senturia,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Sep. 2025
-
In Pennsylvania, lawmakers have still not broken out of the impasse, spelling financial distress for schools and counties that rely particularly heavily on state funding.—
Isabella Volmert,
Fortune,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Those charges, however, were amended when prosecutors filed superseding indictments in both cases in early September.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
28 Oct. 2025
-
The revelation was disclosed in a superseding indictment posted to the federal docket on Tuesday.—
Lance Reynolds,
Boston Herald,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Others have shuttered their services, changing the landscape of the refugee resettlement process.—
NPR,
NPR,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Game-changing extras like the GSI Outdoors Pioneer Chef’s Tools and Uco Eco 4-piece Mess Kit are worth stocking up on, while prices start at $14.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Reaves made three pull-up 3-pointers within 2½ minutes of subbing back into the game in the fourth, putting him at 45 points, with his last one giving the Lakers a 108-101 lead.—
Khobi Price,
Oc Register,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Josh Faraimo, subbing for starting quarterback Brady Palmer, threw a TD pass to Isaac Cook.—
John Maffei,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Substituting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/substituting. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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