substitute 1 of 3

noun

ˈsəb-stə-ˌtüt How to pronounce substitute (audio)
Definition of substitutenext
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

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substitute

2 of 3

adjective

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

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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

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?

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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

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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

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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
Bitcoin is being tested as a supplement, not a substitute, within treasury policies that still prioritize liquidity, capital preservation, and near-term operating needs. — Matthew Kayser, Ascend Agency, 10 Aug. 2026 That's one reason sugar substitutes like aspartame have become so popular. — Alexandra Frost, USA Today, 8 Aug. 2026
Adjective
Prices rise, traders look for substitute barrels, freight costs move and governments issue careful statements about stability. — Gregory Shahnovsky, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026 The same is true of Colombia, which got a 65th-minute goal from Luis Díaz and another from substitute Jáminton Campaz deep in stoppage time to beat stubborn Uzbekistan. — Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2026
Verb
As of the publishing of this review, CPU teams are allowing guys to simply smoke themselves rather than properly substituting. — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026 Kane scored twice, his first goal a penalty, in the first half of that 4-2 defeat in Arlington before Vuskovic was substituted after 66 minutes of his sixth senior outing for his country. — Andy Naylor, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for substitute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for substitute
  1. replacement
  2. synthetic
  3. alternative
  4. exchange
  5. spell
  6. replace
  7. faux
  8. new
Noun
  • Without Odobert, who was Kudus’ natural replacement on the right, or Kolo Muani, who filled in at that position for De Zerbi last term, there is no clear candidate to start at right wing should the Ghanaian not return in time for Brentford.
    — Elias Burke, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Some pieces of equipment, including several 800-ton chillers that help cool the building, are decades old and in need of replacement.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of replacement
Adjective
  • Those rules require generative AI providers to make synthetic output machine-readable and detectable.
    — Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 11 Aug. 2026
  • That meant favoring metals and synthetic materials over classic mid-century finishes like walnut.
    — Catherine Odom, Miami Herald, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of synthetic
Adjective
  • One of the alternative routes would reduce the project’s footprint in the Anza-Borrego Desert by about nine miles, and go through the community of Borrego Springs instead.
    — Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Aug. 2026
  • The shift toward alternative responses for these types of incidents is meaningful, new data shows.
    — Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of alternative
Verb
  • German authorities said Russia organized the 2019 killing of Zelimkhan Khangoshvili, a former Chechen rebel commander who was shot in a Berlin park by Vadim Krasikov, a hitman who was later greeted by Putin after he was exchanged in a spy swap.
    — Claudia Ciobanu, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
  • German authorities also said Russia organized the 2019 killing of Zelimkhan Khangoshvili, a former Chechen rebel commander who was shot in a Berlin park by Vadim Krasikov, a hitman who was later greeted by Putin after he was exchanged in a spy swap.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of exchange
Verb
  • One signal coming from the bond market could spell difficulties ahead for the stock market, according to Jefferies.
    — Michelle Fox, CNBC, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Pintscher had put a peaceful, Feldman-esque, Twilight Zone spell on Mozart.
    — Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of spell
Verb
  • Zac Veen reached on a fielder's choice and moved to second when Jordan Beck walked before JT Brubaker replaced Sam Hentges with two out in the sixth.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Whitecaps midfielder Jeevan Badwal left with a concussion in the 18th minute and was replaced by Rayan Elloumi.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of replace
Adjective
  • Add black ribbon or a handful of faux spider webs for Halloween, and swap out later with autumnal foliage for Thanksgiving.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026
  • But with sneakers strewn in the doorway and a cookbook opened to a specific recipe, the faux house felt lived in.
    — Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of faux
Adjective
  • Balancing privacy and publicity isn’t new, says Alice Marshall, who runs her own public relations agency handling luxury travel clients.
    — Doug Gollan, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026
  • After years of slow progress, a new development in in a Colorado town is finally close to getting the green light.
    — Olivia Young, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of new

Browse Nearby Words

substitutable
substitute
substituted
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Cite this Entry

“Substitute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/substitute. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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