Synonyms of substituting

substituting

verb

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?

Synonyms & Similar Words

• exchanging
• swapping
• changing
• trading
• replacing
• switching
• shifting
• commuting
• interchanging
• displacing
• superseding
• reciprocating
• yielding
• surrendering
• ceding
• handing over

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

• covering
• spelling
• subbing
• standing in
• filling in
• taking over
• pinch-hitting
• stepping in
• relieving
• understudying
• doubling (as)

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

• replacing
• superseding
• supplanting
• relieving
• displacing
• displanting
• usurping
• preempting
• cutting out

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of substituting

For centuries, technology has lowered costs by substituting mechanical power for human labor. — Robert Pearl, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026

In the early days of the republic, there were many radicals and reformers who shared my suspicion that patriotism was an evasion, substituting songs and speeches about liberty for the reality. — Dominic Erdozain, Time, 3 July 2026

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

Enhance cooking by tenderizing meat with coffee grounds or substituting them for espresso powder in baked goods. — Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 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