Synonyms of substituting

substituting

verb

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

• exchanging
• swapping
• changing
• trading
• replacing
• switching
• shifting
• commuting
• interchanging
• displacing
• superseding
• reciprocating
• yielding
• surrendering
• ceding
• handing over

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

• covering
• spelling
• subbing
• standing in
• filling in
• taking over
• pinch-hitting
• stepping in
• relieving
• understudying
• doubling (as)

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

• replacing
• superseding
• supplanting
• relieving
• displacing
• displanting
• usurping
• preempting
• cutting out

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of substituting

Start by substituting the x- and y-coordinates of the two points into the equation describing the line to get two new equations. — Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 18 Aug. 2026

Say, the need for even clearer descriptions for how long to mix pie dough; or indicating where ingredient swaps are possible, like substituting collard greens for kale in braised greens. — Chris Morocco, Bon Appetit Magazine, 13 Aug. 2026

As of the publishing of this review, CPU teams are allowing guys to simply smoke themselves rather than properly substituting. — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026

At the same time, these platforms aren’t substituting for traditional employment. — Jacob Lederman, The Conversation, 7 Aug. 2026

Try substituting chicken broth for the water to add a little extra flavor to the dish. — Elizabeth Nelson, Southern Living, 5 Aug. 2026

Terraza enjoys substituting guava for quince or pear in dessert recipes for a fun, tropical twist. — Su-Jit Lin, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 July 2026

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

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