as in substitutes
a person or thing that fulfills the role of someone or something else
The children's aunt acted as a surrogate for their late mother.
Related Words
Relevance
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 surrogates
After news of Silvia and Guojun’s arrest broke last summer, many of their surrogates questioned how the couple’s family-making scheme had been allowed to unfold for years without anyone stopping it.
—
Ava Kofman, New Yorker, 11 May 2026
The act ensures the legalization and regulation of surrogacy, streamlines the process of obtaining formal parental recognition and better protects parents, surrogates and children.
—Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 9 May 2026
That played out over the weekend through celebrity surrogates.
—Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 22 Apr. 2026
Olson went on to say that the Holy Father, like his predecessors, consistently condemns acts of terrorism, including those sanctioned by Iran and its surrogates in the Middle East.
—Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Apr. 2026
The Republican National Committee has largely avoided the war in talking points issued to surrogates over the last month.
—Steve Peoples, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
But the decision to start it was his alone, and no amount of spin from his surrogates should obscure this fact.
—Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 4 Mar. 2026
Many myths about surrogacy persist, but the practice remains one that is legal and for which surrogates are fairly compensated.
—Kris Ann Valdez, Parents, 13 Feb. 2026
Cuban was one of the most visible campaign surrogates, especially from the business world, traversing the country and promoting Harris’s economic proposals.
—Filip Timotija, The Hill, 13 Dec. 2024
Ava Kofman, New Yorker, 11 May 2026
The act ensures the legalization and regulation of surrogacy, streamlines the process of obtaining formal parental recognition and better protects parents, surrogates and children.
—Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 9 May 2026
That played out over the weekend through celebrity surrogates.
—Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 22 Apr. 2026
Olson went on to say that the Holy Father, like his predecessors, consistently condemns acts of terrorism, including those sanctioned by Iran and its surrogates in the Middle East.
—Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Apr. 2026
The Republican National Committee has largely avoided the war in talking points issued to surrogates over the last month.
—Steve Peoples, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
But the decision to start it was his alone, and no amount of spin from his surrogates should obscure this fact.
—Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 4 Mar. 2026
Many myths about surrogacy persist, but the practice remains one that is legal and for which surrogates are fairly compensated.
—Kris Ann Valdez, Parents, 13 Feb. 2026
Cuban was one of the most visible campaign surrogates, especially from the business world, traversing the country and promoting Harris’s economic proposals.
—Filip Timotija, The Hill, 13 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surrogates
Noun
-
James Milner featuring prominently in rondos between the substitutes before last Saturday’s 3-0 home win over Wolverhampton Wanderers was a significant signal about the present and the future for Brighton & Hove Albion’s ‘old guard’.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
-
Here are our best ginger substitutes, both fresh and ground.—
Kelsey Ogletree,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
These schools may very well be training their own replacements.—
Jay Caspian Kang,
New Yorker,
19 May 2026
-
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
Noun
-
During the war, Iran created a blueprint for global economic leverage, and if the Strait of Hormuz becomes less crucial, Iran and its proxies could threaten other channels and pipelines in the future, noted Heather Long, chief economist at Navy Federal Credit Union.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
12 May 2026
-
There are still proxies that Iran supports.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Surrogates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surrogates. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
