substitute

1 of 2

noun

sub·sti·tute ˈsəb-stə-ˌtüt

-ˌtyüt

Synonyms of substitute next

: a person or thing that takes the place or function of another

substitute adjective

substitute

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verb

substituted; substituting

transitive verb

: to put or use in the place of another

: to introduce (an atom or group) as a substituent

also : to alter (something, such as a compound) by introduction of a substituent

a substituted benzene ring

: to take the place of : replace

intransitive verb

: to serve as a substitute

Example Sentences

Noun you'll be getting a substitute until your regular teacher is feeling better if you like, you can use nuts as a substitute for coconut in that recipe Verb One of our teachers is sick, so we need someone to substitute. They substituted real candles with electric ones.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

On-the-job experience, however, is not necessarily a sound substitute for the training workers missed, advocates argue. —

Rachana Pradhan, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2023 The assistance is not a substitute for insurance and cannot compensate for all losses caused by a disaster. —

Shauna Stuart | Sstuart@al.com, al, 15 Mar. 2023 This is not a substitute for a medical professional. —

Sheila Cosgrove Baylis, Peoplemag, 14 Mar. 2023 Ao won’t be a substitute for your favorite bottle of Japanese whisky, or any other bottle for that matter, but that doesn’t seem to be the point. —

Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 5 Mar. 2023 This is a substitute for an existing levy to provide necessary funds for the district's schools. —

Madeline Mitchell, The Enquirer, 22 Feb. 2023 Ghia could also be a substitute for vermouth, with anything in the Negroni family. —

Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 15 Feb. 2023 Alternative financing is a substitute for business loans that aren’t tied down by the traditional bank lending process. —

Xan Myburgh, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2023 Bohra warns that Dotplot is not a substitute for regular mammograms or visits to the doctor. —

Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Jan. 2023

Verb

Wearing this style all day long (outside of workouts) is best for those who are looking for metallic motifs meant to substitute for wedding rings directly. —

Good Housekeeping, 15 Mar. 2023 Apps for speech therapy are intended not only to substitute for the human voice but are also to help build speech and language skills. —

Lisa Jo Rudy, Verywell Health, 7 Mar. 2023 Immigration will help, provided that the newcomers carry the training and education needed to substitute for the retiring boomers. —

Milton Ezrati, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2023 Coach Ray Portela had to substitute a player in to shoot for Beardon. —

Richard Obert, The Arizona Republic, 18 Feb. 2023 And, like Balinese cooks, feel free to substitute or omit ingredients as necessary. —

Pat Tanumihardja, Washington Post, 1 Feb. 2023 The Miami Heat has decided to bench center Dewayne Dedmon after his actions following his coach's decision to substitute him during a game. —

Charmaine Patterson, Peoplemag, 12 Jan. 2023 Feel free to substitute sugar snap peas or snow peas for green beans, but don't skimp on the fresh ginger — the powdered version won't hold its own in this dish. —

Jamie Kravitz, Woman's Day, 12 Dec. 2022 The defense also started to substitute more to keep players healthy. —

Kevin Reynolds, The Salt Lake Tribune, 12 Dec. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'substitute.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French substitut, from Latin substitutus, past participle of substituere to put in place of, from sub- + statuere to set up, place — more at statute

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler

The first known use of substitute was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century