substituting

present participle of substitute
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?

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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 Run an empty load with hot water, substituting white vinegar for detergent. Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 30 June 2026 In the present day, when artificial intelligence is taking over much translation work, this 500-year-old conflict reminds us that translation is never a simple matter of substituting one word for another. Michael Bruening, The Conversation, 30 June 2026 Contrary to what many people assume, substituting quantum vulnerable algorithms for PQC ones is anything but a drop-and-replace exercise. Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 23 June 2026 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 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
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.
    Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 June 2026
  • 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.
    Jazmin Alvarado, Los Angeles Times, 23 June 2026
Verb
  • Roadside assistance is included, covering towing, flat-tire service and lockout support.
    Michael Kurko, USA Today, 28 June 2026
  • Lining and fully covering them is better still.
    Alex Burton, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2026
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.
    Zac Anderson, USA Today, 25 June 2026
  • 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.
    Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 25 June 2026
Verb
  • There are thousands of cryptocurrencies, countless blockchains, arcane fees to pay for swapping tokens, and complicated onboarding processes.
    Ben Weiss, Fortune, 22 June 2026
  • To solve this, the LK220E uses a battery-swapping system.
    Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 22 June 2026
Verb
  • But the part of the building once covered with letters spelling the president’s name is now shrouded in a tarp.
    Steven Sloan, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2026
  • The cruise turns into a disaster – perhaps inevitable with all of these particular personalities on board – potentially spelling a watery doom for all on the trip.
    Kambole Campbell, Variety, 26 June 2026
Verb
  • Coral Springs resident Kashou was charged by a superseding indictment earlier this month in the Northern District of Texas, along with several co-defendants, with conspiracy to violate the Federal Anti-Kickback Statute.
    Angie DiMichele, Sun Sentinel, 26 June 2026
  • That charge — misprision of a felony — was filed in a superseding information Alvarez pleaded to, which followed the original indictment.
    Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2026
Verb
  • This allows the robot to operate autonomously in complete darkness, harsh sunlight, and rapidly changing lighting conditions while maintaining accurate mapping, obstacle detection, and path planning for uninterrupted inspections and patrols.
    Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 26 June 2026
  • The threat environment is active and constantly changing, but the lesson here extends well beyond this specific threat and current conflict.
    John Bruggeman, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
Verb
  • That included one that came seconds after subbing into the game midway through the fourth quarter.
    Annie Costabile, New York Times, 12 June 2026
  • 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.
    Maggie Meyer Glisan, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Substituting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/substituting. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.

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