Thesaurus results for SUBSTITUTING

substituting

verb

present participle of substitute

as in exchanging

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

Relevance

as in covering

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in replacing

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 substituting Now, if oil prices remain elevated, those same firms will face fresh cost pressures and few, or no, options for substituting oil. —

Rachel Barber, USA Today, 15 Mar. 2026 For an extra kick, try substituting spicy Italian sausage for the mild. —

Elizabeth Nelson, Southern Living, 14 Mar. 2026 Starting him was a bold call, but substituting him after just 17 minutes will inevitably feel like the ultimate betrayal for the player involved. —

Matt Pyzdrowski, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026 Researchers avoided contaminating the samples with other plastics by substituting standard tools with those made of aluminum, cotton and other non-plastic material, the release noted. —

Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 1 Mar. 2026 These releases did not grant full freedom but rather are a precautionary measure substituting imprisonment. —

ABC News, 22 Feb. 2026 However, substituting flesh-and-blood animals with those made of pixels seems to have created a canvas for unfettered abuse. —

Cynthia Chris, The Conversation, 19 Feb. 2026 Fennell has tossed all of that out, substituting her own unimaginative vision, plus a bunch of crappy dresses. —

Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 13 Feb. 2026 Installation involves first removing the bike's existing pedals, chain (or belt), crankset and bottom bracket, then assembling the Easy Ride unit and substituting it into the drivetrain when reinstalling. —

New Atlas, 10 Feb. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for substituting

Verb

At one point, Waliczko and Smith were exchanging baskets, answering each other as the crowd became even more engaged knowing these were two future WNBA players doing battle.

— Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2026
Birds chirped and neighbors emerged from hibernation, exchanging greetings after months indoors.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026