Thesaurus results for SUBSTITUTING

substituting

verb

present participle of substitute

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

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

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 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 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for substituting

Verb

Janice McKinney, Cherrie's mother, has been exchanging letters with the man who claims his own family members are responsible for Cherrie's disappearance.

— Ricky Sayer, CBS News, 23 Feb. 2026
With so much experience playing Head, Claassen is easily able to improvise in the moment answering random questions, cracking jokes and exchanging repartee with audience members, like the unfortunate man in row B who dared to show up at the theater on Friday in a casual sweatshirt.

— Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Feb. 2026