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
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
Although research results are mixed, some studies show that substituting other fats in the diet with avocados may result in significant reductions in triglyceride levels.
—
Brittany Lubeck,
Verywell Health,
18 June 2026
That creates the risk of symbolic legislation substituting for meaningful governance.
—
Sreedhar Potarazu,
Baltimore Sun,
14 June 2026
In response to high food prices, seniors may be eating less frequently and substituting less expensive items for pricier ones, such as beef, to help curb their grocery costs, Johnson said.
—
Lorie Konish,
CNBC,
12 June 2026
That charming and shaggy approach is fitting for such a campy and irreverent comedy, ultimately substituting polish for an equal mixture of artistic grit and careless joy.
—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
12 June 2026
Finally, try substituting egg yolks instead of using the whole egg listed in the ingredients of your box brownie mix.
—
Patricia S York,
Southern Living,
1 June 2026
The amounts are so small that adding or substituting Himalayan salt for regular salt will have no nutritional impact.
—
Sheah Rarback,
Miami Herald,
30 May 2026
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
Brittany Lubeck,
Verywell Health,
18 June 2026
That creates the risk of symbolic legislation substituting for meaningful governance.
—
Sreedhar Potarazu,
Baltimore Sun,
14 June 2026
In response to high food prices, seniors may be eating less frequently and substituting less expensive items for pricier ones, such as beef, to help curb their grocery costs, Johnson said.
—
Lorie Konish,
CNBC,
12 June 2026
That charming and shaggy approach is fitting for such a campy and irreverent comedy, ultimately substituting polish for an equal mixture of artistic grit and careless joy.
—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
12 June 2026
Finally, try substituting egg yolks instead of using the whole egg listed in the ingredients of your box brownie mix.
—
Patricia S York,
Southern Living,
1 June 2026
The amounts are so small that adding or substituting Himalayan salt for regular salt will have no nutritional impact.
—
Sheah Rarback,
Miami Herald,
30 May 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for substituting
Verb
-
The Reynas and Berhalters, who grew up together and were in each other’s weddings, still might not be exchanging pleasantries or Christmas cards.
-
The video then cuts to the attacker facing off with two men who have intervened, exchanging punches with one of them before running through the store with the men in pursuit.
Verb
-
Our managing editor Hannah Wise shares about how The Star is covering the World Cup.
-
The clinic provides standard all-inclusive packages covering hotel, transfers, and translation.
Verb
-
Trump staged the June 24 event to kick off the Great American State Fair, replacing a concert series that fell apart when multiple musicians canceled, some citing concerns about politics.
-
There were doubts as to whether Saliba, 22, could handle replacing Koné in the starting 11 despite the fact that Saliba scored against Qatar minutes after coming on for his injured teammate.
Verb
-
There are thousands of cryptocurrencies, countless blockchains, arcane fees to pay for swapping tokens, and complicated onboarding processes.
-
To solve this, the LK220E uses a battery-swapping system.
Verb
-
However, in recent years, it has been used to symbolize ‘White power’, with the three remaining fingers spelling W for White and the thumb and index finger enabling a P to be drawn for Power.
-
Tatis in right field means is Sung-Mun Song at second base for the first time since May 15 and in the field for the first time since spelling Xander Bogaerts at shortstop on May 23.
Verb
-
That charge — misprision of a felony — was filed in a superseding information Alvarez pleaded to, which followed the original indictment.
-
The Afghan national accused of carrying out a deadly ambush-style shooting targeting National Guard members near the White House pleaded not guilty Tuesday to all charges in a 17-count federal superseding indictment.
Verb
-
Though both teams are coming off wins, each tweaked its starting 11 from those openers, with Mexico changing three starters.
-
That means retaining the iconic characters and narrative structure, but halving episode length to 11 minutes and changing graphic design, says Peekaboo producer Iván Agenjo.
Verb
-
That included one that came seconds after subbing into the game midway through the fourth quarter.
-
This recipe is the record scratch moment for the whole strata/French toast bake genre, with frozen buttermilk pancakes subbing in for the usual day-old bread.
Cite this Entry
“Substituting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/substituting. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
