as in replacement
a person or thing that takes the place of another
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in synthetic
being such in appearance only and made with or manufactured from usually cheaper materials
substitute wools that supposedly have the look and feel of cashmere
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in alternative
taking the place of one that came before
had to find substitute transportation during the bus strike
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of substitute
Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 17 May 2026
What is a good white pepper substitute?
—Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 May 2026
Jay Paris, Oc Register, 28 Mar. 2026
Duncan and substitute right back DJ Taylor gave up the two PKs.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 15 Mar. 2026
Pulte Homes, Miami Herald, 11 May 2026
Guests can substitute tequila upon request.
—Ben Crandell, Sun Sentinel, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for substitute
Noun
Two very different shows, with very different moods, but two inspirational nights that prove there is no substitute for human enthusiasm—the more ridiculous the better.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 17 May 2026
What is a good white pepper substitute?
—Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 May 2026
Adjective
Not sure the substitute teaching stipends could match that.
—Jay Paris, Oc Register, 28 Mar. 2026
Duncan and substitute right back DJ Taylor gave up the two PKs.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 15 Mar. 2026
Verb
The Landmark leans into organic design with decorative wood trim work and a palette of whites, browns and soft beige, while the Marisol substitutes the traditional colors of Mediterranean design for modern white, soft gray and taupe.
—Pulte Homes, Miami Herald, 11 May 2026
Guests can substitute tequila upon request.
—Ben Crandell, Sun Sentinel, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for substitute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for substitute
Noun
-
The frequent replacements mean a more frequent launching and a more frequent deorbiting compared to old-school missions designed with longer missions in mind.—
Tereza Pultarova,
Space.com,
18 May 2026
-
The old road runs right along the modern replacement, grass and weeds gradually breaking it up.—
Sarah D. Wire,
USA Today,
17 May 2026
Adjective
-
Earlier this year, Target was one of the first national retailers to raise the wellness bar by banning all cereals made with synthetic dyes and colors from its shelves.—
Pamela N. Danziger,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
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Target will also carry a Froot Loops Wild Berry cereal made without certified synthetic colors.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
18 May 2026
Adjective
-
For a healthy individual with a reasonable life expectancy, that 8% annual return on patience is difficult to beat with alternative strategies.—
Jason Kirsch,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
-
America is investing in alternative rare earth supply chains and domestic manufacturing.—
Neil Shearing,
Time,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
Car parts that have been altered or exchanged Cars that feature aftermarket components or enhancements that alter their function may void their warranty.—
Kate Tully Ellsworth,
USA Today,
18 May 2026
-
The headline feature is the introduction of default end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for messages exchanged between iPhones and Android phones for the first time.—
David Phelan,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
Verb
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But if two big prime time matchups to start the year go south, a loss in Week 3 could spell doom — or at least serve as too much of a reminder of years past.—
Charlotte Carroll,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
-
Somehow Tiffany whizzes through, knows how to spell, and secures herself the win.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
On top of that, the Cardinals moved on from Kyler Murray and didn’t replace him with a viable franchise-caliber quarterback.—
Saad Yousuf,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
-
He was replaced by Bishop Ronald Hicks of Joliet, Illinois.—
Louis Casiano,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
Adjective
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Garcia, who wrote and directed the movie, has come up with some crisply clever faux-noir dialogue, and part of the joke is that Joe speaks in his hardboiled pensées while everyone else talks like a normal person.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
21 May 2026
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Unlike many faux-jean pants that always look a little off, these still have that classic denim look.—
Caroline Hughes,
Travel + Leisure,
20 May 2026
Adjective
-
And across all networks, just six new shows bow in the fall — with most waiting for post-football homes.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
15 May 2026
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Winston makes a cameo to execute another electric Ford Field trick play, and the Giants lose a close one with their offense starting to find a new gear.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Substitute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/substitute. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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