as in alternative
taking the place of one that came before
his recent religious fanaticism is only the latest substitutive addiction of a person with an addictive personality
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Recent Examples of substitutive
This kind of substitutive logic appears in early case histories of anorexia.
—
Anna Shechtman, The New Yorker, 20 Dec. 2021
This simple, substitutive kind of automation, Mr. Acemoglu and Mr. Restrepo wrote, threatens not just individual workers, but the economy as a whole.
—New York Times, 6 Mar. 2021
Somewhere along the line, a foundational philosophy emerged: Identity is additive, not substitutive.
—Monte Reel, Bloomberg.com, 20 July 2017
Anna Shechtman, The New Yorker, 20 Dec. 2021
This simple, substitutive kind of automation, Mr. Acemoglu and Mr. Restrepo wrote, threatens not just individual workers, but the economy as a whole.
—New York Times, 6 Mar. 2021
Somewhere along the line, a foundational philosophy emerged: Identity is additive, not substitutive.
—Monte Reel, Bloomberg.com, 20 July 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for substitutive
Adjective
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Goldman Sachs estimated that Qatar could see its GDP plunge by 14%, citing its lack of alternative export channels to the blockaded Strait of Hormuz.—
Kelsey Warner,
semafor.com,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Papadimitriou noted that the whole shipping industry is trying to drum up exports from alternative regions to keep oil moving and, crucially, to stay employed.—
Henrik Pettersson,
CNN Money,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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In any case, this new film can be watched without having seen any of the previous chapters, though that’s mostly because the plot is cookie-cutter generic.—
Beatrice Loayza,
Variety,
1 May 2026
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Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
1 May 2026
Adjective
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Motorists are being advised to avoid the area and seek alternate routes.—
Jeramie Bizzle,
CBS News,
4 May 2026
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Drivers were urged to avoid the area and use an alternate route.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
4 May 2026
Adjective
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Depending on the time of year, substitute in-season veggies.—
Amanda Favazza,
Southern Living,
21 Apr. 2026
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On 100 minutes, substitute Brian Cipenga whipped in a corner from the left that evaded both attacking and defensive players and bounced in off the onrushing Tuanzebe.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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That decision puts at risk both of the majority-Black districts in Louisiana of being eliminated in the redrawing, as well as majority-minority districts in other states.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
5 May 2026
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The chain eventually expanded to other nameplates — Banana Republic and Old Navy — and now generates more than $15 billion in sales globally.—
Anne D'Innocenzio,
Chicago Tribune,
5 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Substitutive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/substitutive. Accessed 6 May. 2026.
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