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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
-
Many professionals will share honest insights about industry trends and alternative entry points.—
Sarah Hernholm,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Drug makers are also seeking alternative treatments for patients who struggle to remain on GLP-1s long term.—
Karen Gilchrist,
CNBC,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
This reduces waste, extends product lifespan, and minimizes the use of new materials.—
Thomas Coughlin,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Ahead of the premiere of her new Netflix series, Too Much, written for her by Lena Dunham, the 33-year-old reflects on what got her to this moment.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Glamour,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
At the conclusion of September’s selection event, four athletes and up to two non-traveling alternate athletes will be named to the team.—
Caroline Price,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
The factory 170mm fans can also be positioned slightly higher on the front panel by removing the top filler panel visible above, snapping the fans into their alternate mounting holes, and reinstalling both filler panels at the bottom of the opening.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
On a whim, the 30-year-old applied for several school positions — from cafeteria worker to custodian — including one for a substitute bus driver, despite having zero experience behind the wheel of a bus.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
6 Sep. 2025
-
The 30-year-old has gone from being fourth-choice goalkeeper at Wolves, making one substitute appearance in his two seasons at Molineux, to third-choice at Everton.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
In order to embolden and support his organization, bin Laden often videotaped himself with messages aimed at his target audience, established training centers in Afghanistan, had an expansive funding network that included wealthy individuals, couriers, mosques and other complex ways to raise funds.—
Richard Frankel,
ABC News,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Advertisement Kirk’s path to national prominence was unlike that of other MAGA icons.—
Eric Cortellessa,
Time,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Substitutive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/substitutive. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share