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?

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 Sunmaxxing itself is free, but a commercial layer has formed around tracking it, coaching it or substituting for it when the sun is not cooperating. Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 25 July 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for substituting
Verb
  • The two met briefly during the game after Curtis threw a touchdown and then connected afterward, following each other on social media and exchanging phone numbers.
    Sam Khan Jr, New York Times, 30 July 2026
  • Julia and Emma — who is the daughter of the Ticket to Paradise actress’ brother, Eric Roberts — have a close bond, referencing each other in interviews over the years and exchanging birthday wishes and sweet posts on social media over the years.
    Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 26 July 2026
Verb
  • Peter van Duijvendijk is a flood defense manager at the Schieland en de Krimpenerwaard water corporation, one of 21 such organizations covering the Netherlands that are responsible for issues including flood control.
    ABC News, ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026
  • That left those covered by Obamacare increasingly facing difficult choices of sucking up extra expenses — while also covering the basics of life, such as rent and food costs — or even forgoing coverage altogether.
    Nick Thomas, The Washington Examiner, 1 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • She was eventually caught by the chasers — with Amanda Spratt (Lidl-Trek) replacing Mahe, who had rejoined the peloton — but won the combativity prize of the day, which was richly deserved for a strong effort.
    Jessica Hopkins, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026
  • America’s future will not be secured by replacing trust with control, but by earning it again.
    Keith Krach, Fortune, 1 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Going off our evaluator’s opinion on the Angels possibly wanting more, perhaps swapping out Harris for Ethan Bagwell could seal the deal since Bagwell has more projection.
    Jesús Cano, New York Times, 31 July 2026
  • Those headlights bookend the front with a grille full of vertical slats on the Q9 and an egg-crate design swapping in on S-Line and more powerful SQ9 models.
    Joel Feder, The Drive, 29 July 2026
Verb
  • But he is visited by Kanbei (Masaki Suda), an envoy from a different clan, who tells him that more and more factions are siding with Oda, spelling certain doom for Murashige.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026
  • That summer, land next to the Okefenokee Swamp that was slated for a titanium mine was purchased by The Conservation Fund, spelling an end to a project some had feared could irreparably damage the fragile ecosystem.
    Drew Kann, AJC.com, 20 July 2026
Verb
  • Rozier was first arrested and charged in October, but prosecutors filed a superseding indictment in May, adding two new charges.
    Mike Vorkunov, New York Times, 31 July 2026
  • The case Chutkan dismissed was itself a superseding indictment from August 2024 that enhanced and replaced the original criminal case, filed a year earlier.
    Chris Brennan, USA Today, 30 July 2026
Verb
  • The Goodyear House’s changing menu keeps items exciting, but its Goopy Burger is a tried-and-true favorite.
    Laura Horne July 31, Charlotte Observer, 31 July 2026
  • Billionaires buying up South Florida real estate, corporate expansions and a widening gulf between luxury and everyday home prices are changing Miami-Dade’s economic landscape.
    Jeff Kleinman, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026
Verb
  • Good morning, Alexei Oreskovic here today, subbing in for Andrew.
    Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 29 July 2026
  • Less than a minute after subbing on for 22-year-old Sarah Schupansky, Gotham goalkeeper and former Chelsea teammate Ann-Katrin Berger’s long ball reached Kerr.
    Melanie Anzidei, New York Times, 16 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Substituting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/substituting. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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