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
At the top end, its role is more augmentative than substitutive, and its impact more incremental than disruptive or transformational.
—
Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic,
Forbes.com,
27 Apr. 2026
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
Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic,
Forbes.com,
27 Apr. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for substitutive
Adjective
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The executives who absorbed the Freakonomics ethos learned to separate correlation from causation and to entertain alternative explanations before settling on the most convenient one.
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Demand for alternative currencies, including the Singapore dollar, South Korean won and South African rand, is also growing.
Adjective
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Mask ban for law enforcement officers, criminal records sealing and tenant protections are among a host of new measures taking effect.
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In the videos, women share their transformations in which their post-divorce selves are often fitter, with clearer skin and a new wardrobe.
Adjective
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The Ports, who played as their alternate Copa de la Diversión name, the Cheladas, also gave an option to give dad a shout-out on the jumbotron during a game where the Cheladas shut out the Visalia Rawhide, 8-0.
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Fish swim by alternate contractions of aerobic muscles that run the length of their bodies in a small red band just under their skin, while their large white anaerobic muscles are used only for brief bursts.
Adjective
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The same is true of Colombia, which got a 65th-minute goal from Luis Díaz and another from substitute Jáminton Campaz deep in stoppage time to beat stubborn Uzbekistan.
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Ronaldo is pretty much guaranteed to play every minute of Portugal’s 2026 World Cup regardless of his impact, whereas for a player of his age, a substitute role may be more suitable.
Adjective
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The majority framed sports as different from other school settings because of what is at stake every time a roster is made, a medal is awarded or a scholarship is offered.
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Like so many other businesses and homes, cost has made coverage out of reach.
Cite this Entry
“Substitutive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/substitutive. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
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