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
Taking the question further, and assuming the Fed capable of the magic that Democrats, Republicans and even libertarians ascribe to it, won’t private capital retreat overcome the Fed substituting itself for the marketplace in the first place?
—
John Tamny, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
When making the switch to a plant-forward diet, Moon advised easing into it with small changes such as adding leafy greens to smoothies, using tofu in a grain bowl, and substituting animal fats for olive oil.
—Sarah Garone, Health, 27 Aug. 2025
The value is not in substituting one expert for another, or in outsourcing fully to the machine, or indeed in presuming the human expertise will always be superior, but in leveraging human and rapidly-evolving machine capabilities to achieve best results.
—David Autor, The Atlantic, 24 Aug. 2025
Online beverage blog Drinks with Danica recommends substituting vodka for sparkling water.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 23 Aug. 2025
Ultimate Salted-Caramel Frosting Prepare as directed, substituting 1 Tbsp.
—Josh Miller, Southern Living, 23 Aug. 2025
Roberts is a mainstay at middle linebacker, but Pratt, White and Adams were substituting for one another constantly against the 49ers.
—Tashan Reed, New York Times, 17 Aug. 2025
Their always-on favorites include seitan asada tacos and Cubanos substituting jackfruit lechón for pork, alongside a playful cocktail menu that boasts rum, mezcal, cachaça, and tequila drinks like the pineapple–guava–passion fruit Beach Bunny, and NA sippers like the Flora 75.
—Mike Jordan, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 Aug. 2025
Most of the film can still be made cheaply enough, with cardboard cut-outs taking the place of extras and amusingly artificial AI substituting for establishing shots and certain visual effects.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 10 Aug. 2025
John Tamny, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
When making the switch to a plant-forward diet, Moon advised easing into it with small changes such as adding leafy greens to smoothies, using tofu in a grain bowl, and substituting animal fats for olive oil.
—Sarah Garone, Health, 27 Aug. 2025
The value is not in substituting one expert for another, or in outsourcing fully to the machine, or indeed in presuming the human expertise will always be superior, but in leveraging human and rapidly-evolving machine capabilities to achieve best results.
—David Autor, The Atlantic, 24 Aug. 2025
Online beverage blog Drinks with Danica recommends substituting vodka for sparkling water.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 23 Aug. 2025
Ultimate Salted-Caramel Frosting Prepare as directed, substituting 1 Tbsp.
—Josh Miller, Southern Living, 23 Aug. 2025
Roberts is a mainstay at middle linebacker, but Pratt, White and Adams were substituting for one another constantly against the 49ers.
—Tashan Reed, New York Times, 17 Aug. 2025
Their always-on favorites include seitan asada tacos and Cubanos substituting jackfruit lechón for pork, alongside a playful cocktail menu that boasts rum, mezcal, cachaça, and tequila drinks like the pineapple–guava–passion fruit Beach Bunny, and NA sippers like the Flora 75.
—Mike Jordan, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 Aug. 2025
Most of the film can still be made cheaply enough, with cardboard cut-outs taking the place of extras and amusingly artificial AI substituting for establishing shots and certain visual effects.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 10 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for substituting
Verb
-
Football is exchanging ball control and patient build-up (like Emery has sought) for a more direct, forward-thinking approach once more.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Parents lined up on a sidewalk outside Bergen Meadow Elementary School, waiting to reunite with their children, exchanging hugs and quiet conversation.—
Katie Langford,
Denver Post,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Welcome to Path to Playoff, the USA TODAY Sports newsletter covering all things college football and the chase for this year's national championship.—
Erick Smith,
USA Today,
8 Sep. 2025
-
While the negative human-health effects of smoke from the Glass Fire have been well documented, the toxic brown blanket covering the Napa Valley is also devastating bee populations, said local beekeeper John Sevigny.—
Ethan Baron,
Mercury News,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
If the filter needs replacing, wipe or vacuum the slats to remove pet hair and dust buildup.—
Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott,
Southern Living,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Technology that opens up new avenues meets the hype in a way that AI replacing baby investment bankers or advertising studios just doesn’t.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
For an equally gripping vegan alternative, try swapping out the butter for olive oil and the cheese for nutritional yeast.—
The New York Times News Service Syndicate,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Sep. 2025
-
This useful prompt allows for number swapping to create customized details for specific housing circumstances.—
Tor Constantino,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Paul Simon, another New York songwriter, was also expert at making his home part of the narrative without spelling it out.—
Joseph Hudak,
Rolling Stone,
5 Sep. 2025
-
In addition to spelling the end of the threshold nuclear strategy, the 12-day war will likely have another important consequence.—
VIPIN NARANG,
Foreign Affairs,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
This is despite Israeli actions long superseding the targeting of Hamas.—
Esther Brito Ruiz,
The Conversation,
5 Sep. 2025
-
And then a superseding indictment came out that was unsealed about a year and a half ago that specifically detailed Maduro's actions.—
Rachel Wolf,
FOXNews.com,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Traditional data lakes can store raw data at scale but lack quality controls, while warehouses enforce structure but struggle with unstructured or fast changing data.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Other exciting territory in The Grand Finale involved Mary’s changing relationship with the other Crawley women.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In the teams’ most recent meeting, Chiefs kicker Matthew Wright, subbing for an injured Butker, doinked a 31-yard field goal off the left upright and through for a 19-17 KC victory.—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
5 Sep. 2025
-
With the top offense and defense mostly playing against the second units — with many players subbing in and out of the latter — McCarthy was 7 for 7 with completions to four different receivers on the first drive, and completed three touchdown passes on a late red zone drill.—
John Shipley,
Twin Cities,
20 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Substituting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/substituting. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share