substituting

Definition of substitutingnext
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

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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 Researchers avoided contaminating the samples with other plastics by substituting standard tools with those made of aluminum, cotton and other non-plastic material, the release noted. Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 1 Mar. 2026 These releases did not grant full freedom but rather are a precautionary measure substituting imprisonment. ABC News, 22 Feb. 2026 By substituting beef broth for vegetable broth this recipe is easily meatless. Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 20 Feb. 2026 Fennell has tossed all of that out, substituting her own unimaginative vision, plus a bunch of crappy dresses. Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 13 Feb. 2026 Some techniques for reducing carbon dioxide emissions include substituting some of the clinker – the hard residue typically made from limestone – with supplementary materials such as clay, or fly ash and slag from industries. Alcina Johnson Sudagar, The Conversation, 12 Feb. 2026 Installation involves first removing the bike's existing pedals, chain (or belt), crankset and bottom bracket, then assembling the Easy Ride unit and substituting it into the drivetrain when reinstalling. New Atlas, 10 Feb. 2026 Critics such as economist Jeffrey Sachs have warned that the NSS is grounded in grandiosity and Machiavellianism, substituting coercion for cooperation and dominance for legitimacy. Alejandro Reyes, Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2026 Williams was the only starter to play more than 25 minutes as the Aztecs began substituting liberally after just 11 minutes, jumping out to a 32-12 lead thanks to an 18-0 run. Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for substituting
Verb
  • Birds chirped and neighbors emerged from hibernation, exchanging greetings after months indoors.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
  • After exchanging words during and after Game 2 of their first-round series, Brooks hit James with a low blow, which prompted an ejection.
    Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 6 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • But the push to tax the rich is about more than covering additional spending.
    Betsy McCaughey, Boston Herald, 16 Mar. 2026
  • Thomas Jones is the University of Texas beat reporter for the Austin American-Statesman covering Texas football, Texas men's basketball, Texas volleyball, Texas softball and other things Bevo.
    Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 15 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Mascherano went to his bench in the 72nd minute, replacing Segovia with Silvetti and Mura with Ian Fray.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 2026
  • Renovations will include replacing the substation’s infrastructure with more modern equipment, which Miller said would be quieter.
    Emily Holshouser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • But the possibility of Texas swapping seeds with South Carolina now exists.
    Danny Davis, Austin American Statesman, 8 Mar. 2026
  • The Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks each made a flurry of moves in the hours leading up to the NHL Trade Deadline on Friday, swapping some veteran players for draft picks while bringing in new faces.
    Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 7 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The future as glaciers retreat Future climate projections combined with sophisticated glacier models indicate that glaciers will cumulatively retreat by 26% to 41% by 2100, spelling the loss of 49% to 83% of all glaciers globally.
    Dan McGrath, The Conversation, 9 Mar. 2026
  • Benjamin Reinhard, 14, won by correctly spelling the word kenosis, which refers to the act of a Christian person voluntarily giving up their personal rights and ambitions and accepting suffering, according to the spelling bee’s definition.
    Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Recently, his lawyers filed a motion to dismiss the superseding indictment — claiming that the government has failed to state a federal offense.
    Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 9 Mar. 2026
  • No new charges were in the superseding indictment unsealed on Friday, as prosecutors charged a third individual with serving as a middleman between bettors and Clase.
    ABC News, ABC News, 18 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The redesign coincides with changing times in the organization, from a new coaching staff, a reshaped roster, and soon, a new stadium set to open in 2027.
    Zach Powell, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
  • The options include changing the backup device name and selecting which hard drives to back up.
    Justin Pot, PC Magazine, 13 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • No pressure, just subbing for one of the world’s most famous women.
    Sarah Hepola, Dallas Morning News, 18 Feb. 2026
  • Reibe, subbing in after Reed picked up his third foul less than 20 seconds into the second half, scored a pair as the Huskies came out of the break on an 8-2 run and pushed their lead to 14.
    Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 15 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Substituting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/substituting. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.

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