supplant

verb

sup·​plant sə-ˈplant How to pronounce supplant (audio)
supplanted; supplanting; supplants
Synonyms of supplant

transitive verb

1
: to supersede (another) especially by force or treachery
2
a(1)
obsolete : uproot
(2)
: to eradicate and supply a substitute for
efforts to supplant the vernacular
b
: to take the place of and serve as a substitute for especially by reason of superior excellence or power
supplantation
(ˌ)sə-ˌplan-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce supplant (audio)
noun
supplanter
sə-ˈplan-tər How to pronounce supplant (audio)
noun

Synonyms of supplant

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replace, displace, supplant, supersede mean to put out of a usual or proper place or into the place of another.

replace implies a filling of a place once occupied by something lost, destroyed, or no longer usable or adequate.

replaced the broken window

displace implies an ousting or dislodging.

war had displaced thousands

supplant implies either a dispossessing or usurping of another's place, possessions, or privileges or an uprooting of something and its replacement with something else.

was abruptly supplanted in her affections by another

supersede implies replacing a person or thing that has become superannuated, obsolete, or otherwise inferior.

the new edition supersedes all previous ones

Examples of supplant in a Sentence

old traditions that were fading away and being supplanted by modern ways
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Pending the finishing touches, the Lakers roster still might not be enough to supplant Oklahoma City and San Antonio in the Western Conference. — Los Angeles Times, 4 Aug. 2026 Stella's, the diner that Ann Sather will supplant at Broadway and Barry, had been in business for 64 years. — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 4 Aug. 2026 These are liquids that tend to elevate other herbal profiles; supplanting juniper as the star of the show. — Brad Japhe, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026 Lionfish supplanted indigenous stocks like the red mullet to the dismay of fishers, who have seen local varieties popular with customers greatly diminish. — ABC News, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for supplant

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French supplanter, from Latin supplantare to trip up, cause to stumble, from sub- + planta sole of the foot — more at place

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of supplant was in the 14th century

Rhymes for supplant

See All Rhymes for supplant

Browse Nearby Words

suppertime
supplant
supplantation
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Supplant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/supplant. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

supplant

verb
sup·​plant sə-ˈplant How to pronounce supplant (audio)
1
: to take the place of (another) especially by force or treachery
2
a
: to root out and supply a substitute for
b
: to gain the place of and serve as a substitute for especially by reason of superior excellence or power
supplantation
(ˌ)sə-ˌplan-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce supplant (audio)
noun
supplanter
sə-ˈplant-ər How to pronounce supplant (audio)
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on supplant

Nglish: Translation of supplant for Spanish Speakers

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