Definition of substitutivenext
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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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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for substitutive
Adjective
  • Midi Skirts Midiskirts are the breezy, pants-alternative summer trend that’s taking the spot of the boho maxiskirt trend that’s dominated the past few years.
    Kaitlin Clapinski, InStyle, 21 July 2026
  • Consumers increasingly value flexibility, so dealerships and automakers should market leasing around affordability, convenience and the ability to upgrade to newer vehicles, rather than treating it as an alternative financing option.
    Zoriy Birenboym, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Adjective
  • Among those rumoured to be part of a new regime, the old 1998 goalkeeper Fabien Barthez is in the mix.
    Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 21 July 2026
  • Iran’s unemployment has worsened since the conflict began, and its currency has hit new lows.
    Jomana Karadsheh, CNN Money, 21 July 2026
Adjective
  • RiverLink also is included in the state’s Greater Hartford Mobility Program that lays out plans for encouraging alternate ways of getting around the region, lessening reliance on the motor vehicle.
    Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 26 July 2026
  • Let the record show that the duo’s first jersey for a full-season affiliate was cinnamon brown and featured the club’s San Jose Churros alternate logo.
    Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 26 July 2026
Adjective
  • Fellow forward Thomas-Asante was used sparingly, making two substitute appearances in Ghana’s four games.
    Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 24 July 2026
  • Finally, in minute 106, substitute Ferran Torres scored a goal for Spain, securing them the World Cup victory and denying Argentina a back-to-back win.
    Michael Schneider, Variety, 21 July 2026
Adjective
  • The Big Bend Sector has not experienced the high number of border crossings seen in recent years in other areas farther south along the Rio Grande or in Arizona or California, owing to the remote and challenging terrain on both sides of the border.
    ABC News, ABC News, 22 July 2026
  • Today, some bright spots aside, the Art Deco District’s historic commercial spine is a drab length of vacant and unkempt storefronts, smoke shops, liquor stores, fast-food outlets, cheap T-shirt emporia and other varieties of tourist trap.
    Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Substitutive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/substitutive. Accessed 28 Jul. 2026.

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