substitute 1 of 3

Definition of substitutenext

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
Regular rice flour is not a suitable substitute, nor is wheat flour. Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 July 2026 At halftime, Irankunda and Metcalfe came on as substitutes, and the team started to gel and to threaten. Naaman Zhou, New Yorker, 1 July 2026
Adjective
Court filings obtained by PEOPLE previously revealed that McBee was ordered to surrender several luxury watches — including a Rolex Daytona and two Tag Heuer timepieces — as substitute assets toward satisfying the money judgment tied to the case. Deirdre Durkan, PEOPLE, 12 June 2026 Morrison pushed back, making a substitute motion to adopt the budget as presented by staff and revisit the item in August. Walker Armstrong, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2026
Verb
Winner may not substitute, assign or transfer Prize or redeem Prize for cash, but Sponsor reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to substitute Prize (or portion thereof) with one of comparable or greater value. AJC.com, 30 June 2026 In the present day, when artificial intelligence is taking over much translation work, this 500-year-old conflict reminds us that translation is never a simple matter of substituting one word for another. Michael Bruening, The Conversation, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for substitute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for substitute
Noun
  • The city said replacement parts have been ordered and officials hope to reopen the pool before the end of July.
    Hannah Kliger, CBS News, 2 July 2026
  • Wallingford also testified that inspections are not a replacement for reporting infant deaths.
    David Hilzenrath, USA Today, 2 July 2026
Adjective
  • Tight or synthetic clothing can increase bacterial growth on the skin, including in areas that promote UTIs, due to additional sweating.
    Alexandra Frost, USA Today, 30 June 2026
  • Their work ultimately led to the creation of the first synthetic hydrogel made from poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate), or pHEMA.
    Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 30 June 2026
Adjective
  • The executives who absorbed the Freakonomics ethos learned to separate correlation from causation and to entertain alternative explanations before settling on the most convenient one.
    Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
  • Demand for alternative currencies, including the Singapore dollar, South Korean won and South African rand, is also growing.
    Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 30 June 2026
Verb
  • Bryan West Moments after Swift and Kelce exchanged vows, rain and flashes of lightning swept across Manhattan outside Madison Square Garden.
    Bryan West, USA Today, 4 July 2026
  • Shortly after the couple exchanged vows at Madison Square Garden, their names went up in lights—literally.
    Hannah Malach, InStyle, 4 July 2026
Verb
  • In the penalty shootout, Egypt converted all four attempts while Australia missed the net twice to spell the end for The Socceroos in 2026.
    Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 July 2026
  • None were enrolled in school and the eldest — 18 and described as developmentally disabled — could not spell her own name.
    Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 1 July 2026
Verb
  • The project includes replacing ageing electrical wiring, pipes and heating.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 26 June 2026
  • Relatives identified the food vendor as Arabelia Martinez, 62, and have raised more than $100,000 to pay for therapy and replace the items damaged in the incident.
    Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026
Adjective
  • Inside, a memory foam insole with arch support cushions every step, and the soft faux leather molds to your ideal fit over time.
    Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026
  • The white interior and faux leather are also available in Overland and reviewed Limited trims.
    James Raia, Mercury News, 28 June 2026
Adjective
  • Mask ban for law enforcement officers, criminal records sealing and tenant protections are among a host of new measures taking effect.
    Liam Bowman, Washington Post, 30 June 2026
  • In the videos, women share their transformations in which their post-divorce selves are often fitter, with clearer skin and a new wardrobe.
    Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 30 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Substitute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/substitute. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on substitute

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster