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.
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Recent Examples of substituting
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
Many online have gone on to add fresh fruits and honey to their creations, as well as substituting Biscoff cookies for other options like graham crackers, cookies and even Oreos.
—Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 21 Jan. 2026
Nigeria coach Eric Chelle took a huge gamble by substituting top striker Victor Osimhen with three minutes of the extra-time period to go (deliberately taking him out of the picture).
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2026
Tempo is when an offense frequently moves quickly to the next play and uses no-huddle and varies its rhythm to keep defenses off-base and prevent them from substituting.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 15 Jan. 2026
Each coordinator has his own wrinkles for each matchup and preparation matters, but there’s not much substituting for experience.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 12 Jan. 2026
Villalobos said the students used training guns with paintballs substituting for bullets.
—Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
Some took the trend and ran with it, substituting the actual skin care for a stick of butter.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 26 Dec. 2025
Early reports indicate that kids are fooling the age-recognition software with sophisticated techniques such as drawing on facial hair and substituting celebrity photos for their own.
—Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2025
Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Jan. 2026
Many online have gone on to add fresh fruits and honey to their creations, as well as substituting Biscoff cookies for other options like graham crackers, cookies and even Oreos.
—Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 21 Jan. 2026
Nigeria coach Eric Chelle took a huge gamble by substituting top striker Victor Osimhen with three minutes of the extra-time period to go (deliberately taking him out of the picture).
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2026
Tempo is when an offense frequently moves quickly to the next play and uses no-huddle and varies its rhythm to keep defenses off-base and prevent them from substituting.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 15 Jan. 2026
Each coordinator has his own wrinkles for each matchup and preparation matters, but there’s not much substituting for experience.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 12 Jan. 2026
Villalobos said the students used training guns with paintballs substituting for bullets.
—Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
Some took the trend and ran with it, substituting the actual skin care for a stick of butter.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 26 Dec. 2025
Early reports indicate that kids are fooling the age-recognition software with sophisticated techniques such as drawing on facial hair and substituting celebrity photos for their own.
—Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for substituting
Verb
-
Kaoru Mitoma also spurned a good opportunity in the opening quarter of the contest, slotting wide of the far post after exchanging passes with Welbeck.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
2 Feb. 2026
-
The Fire Dogs and Law Hogs were united as one before kickoff, shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In New York, the publication dogged former Mayor Bill de Blasio’s progressive policies and his personal life, covering everything from his gym visits to his divorce in cringe-inducing detail.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
2 Feb. 2026
-
Democrats Menefee, a former Harris County attorney, and Amanda Edwards, a former member of Houston's city council, competed in a runoff to represent Texas' 18th Congressional District, a solidly Democratic area covering part of Houston and the surrounding region.—
Kate Perez,
USA Today,
2 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Many utilities across the country have spent the last several years slowly retiring their oldest and dirtiest coal facilities, and replacing that energy with a mix of newer, low-cost options including gas plants and renewables.—
Ella Nilsen,
CNN Money,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Ciena is replacing human resources software company Dayforce, S&P Dow Jones Indices said in a statement on Wednesday.—
Jordan Novet,
CNBC,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Do the Rangers want to be swapping out center fielders?—
Evan Grant,
Dallas Morning News,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Men are swapping out their underwear over growing concerns about fertility and hormone health.—
Angelica Stabile,
FOXNews.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Lightfoot performed well when rushing the passer when spelling Bain and Mesidor.—
Adam Lichtenstein,
Sun Sentinel,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Steer, a Gold Glove finalist at first base in his first full season there, can also play second base, third base and the outfield, spelling other players in the field.—
C. Trent Rosecrans,
New York Times,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In October 2024, however, federal prosecutors released a superseding indictment charging Wedding with running a criminal enterprise, cocaine trafficking and murder in an operation stretching across the US, Canada, Mexico and Colombia.—
Josh Campbell,
CNN Money,
23 Jan. 2026
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But totally superseding gold may not be advantageous, especially if the price there continues to rise.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The company’s leadership was too focused on slashing costs and not enough on investing back into its brands, particularly at a time when consumer tastes were changing.—
Amelia Lucas,
CNBC,
31 Jan. 2026
-
That calculus is slowly changing.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The only acceptable change from the original was subbing ice for water.—
Jeremy Repanich,
Robb Report,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Garrett opted to stick with his lineup that had been playing well for most of the fourth quarter rather than subbing in fresh legs off the bench during San Clemente’s run.—
Michael Huntley,
Oc Register,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Substituting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/substituting. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.
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