supplant

verb

sup·​plant sə-ˈplant How to pronounce supplant (audio)
supplanted; supplanting; supplants

transitive verb

1
: to supersede (another) especially by force or treachery
2
a(1)
obsolete : uproot
(2)
: to eradicate and supply a substitute for
efforts to supplant the vernacular
b
: to take the place of and serve as a substitute for especially by reason of superior excellence or power
supplantation noun
supplanter noun
Choose the Right Synonym for supplant

replace, displace, supplant, supersede mean to put out of a usual or proper place or into the place of another.

replace implies a filling of a place once occupied by something lost, destroyed, or no longer usable or adequate.

replaced the broken window

displace implies an ousting or dislodging.

war had displaced thousands

supplant implies either a dispossessing or usurping of another's place, possessions, or privileges or an uprooting of something and its replacement with something else.

was abruptly supplanted in her affections by another

supersede implies replacing a person or thing that has become superannuated, obsolete, or otherwise inferior.

the new edition supersedes all previous ones

Examples of supplant in a Sentence

old traditions that were fading away and being supplanted by modern ways
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
That has made financing projects to supplant fossil fuels harder and contributed to the view that Petro’s idealism is hurting the country. Justin Worland/bogotá, TIME, 29 Oct. 2024 With their willingness to pay for talent in a way that’s straight out of the Yankees’ playbook, the Dodgers have supplanted them as the league’s most well-resourced club, with the Mets also making a case for that title. Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2024 The gala will stream on Disney+ and Hulu simultaneously with ABC’s network coverage, supplanting longtime home CBS. Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 1 Nov. 2024 Campusano struggled, battled injuries and before long Higashioka supplanted him as the starter. Jay Paris, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for supplant 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French supplanter, from Latin supplantare to trip up, cause to stumble, from sub- + planta sole of the foot — more at place

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of supplant was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near supplant

Cite this Entry

“Supplant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/supplant. Accessed 5 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

supplant

verb
sup·​plant sə-ˈplant How to pronounce supplant (audio)
1
: to take the place of (another) especially by force or treachery
2
a
: to root out and supply a substitute for
b
: to gain the place of and serve as a substitute for especially by reason of superior excellence or power
supplantation noun
supplanter noun

More from Merriam-Webster on supplant

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