Thesaurus results for SUPPLANT

Q: How is the word 'supplant' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of supplant are displace , replace , and supersede . While all these words mean "to put out of a usual or proper place or into the place of another," 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

Q: When is it sensible to use 'displace' instead of 'supplant'?

Although the words displace and supplant have much in common, displace implies an ousting or dislodging. // war had displaced thousands

Q: When could 'replace' be used to replace 'supplant'?

In some situations, the words replace and supplant are roughly equivalent. However, replace implies a filling of a place once occupied by something lost, destroyed, or no longer usable or adequate. // replaced the broken window

Q: When can 'supersede' be used instead of 'supplant'?

The words supersede and supplant are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, supersede implies replacing a person or thing that has become superannuated, obsolete, or otherwise inferior. // the new edition supersedes all previous ones

supplant

verb

sə-ˈplant

Definition of supplant

as in to replace

to take the place of old traditions that were fading away and being supplanted by modern ways

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How is the word supplant distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of supplant are displace, replace, and supersede. While all these words mean "to put out of a usual or proper place or into the place of another," 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

When is it sensible to use displace instead of supplant?

Although the words displace and supplant have much in common, displace implies an ousting or dislodging.

war had displaced thousands

When could replace be used to replace supplant?

In some situations, the words replace and supplant are roughly equivalent. However, replace implies a filling of a place once occupied by something lost, destroyed, or no longer usable or adequate.

replaced the broken window

When can supersede be used instead of supplant?

The words supersede and supplant are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, supersede implies replacing a person or thing that has become superannuated, obsolete, or otherwise inferior.

the new edition supersedes all previous ones

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 supplant Trump calls for supplanting the combined measles, mumps and rubella vaccine by individual vaccines for each disease, administered at separate physician visits. — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2026 Technofeudalism by Yanis Varoufakis Written by Greece’s former finance minister, Technofeudalism argues that capitalism hasn’t merely become monopolistic; it has been supplanted by a whole new economic order. — Literary Hub, 10 Aug. 2026 Morgan calls the emerging MAGA ideology Civilizational America (again, his italics) and argues that it is poised to supplant American Europe. — Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026 The film surpassed $500 million in North America in its first seven days, becoming the fastest title to reach that half-billion milestone by supplanting Endgame, which hit the threshold in eight days. — Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 8 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for supplant

Recent Examples of Synonyms for supplant

Verb

Other goals, like a lactation room, upgrading the fire alarm system to a voice evacuation system for the whole building and replacing the elevator came later.

— Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 30 Aug. 2026
Summary Despite the digital shift, leading retailers are leveraging AI to enhance human customer connections, not replace them.

— John Hall, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of replace

Verb

Genesis also argued that the county lacked authority to revoke the permits because federal law supersedes local regulations.

— Adam Thompson, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026
However, such designs may now be superseded by austere sites that allow agents to act efficiently on our behalf.

— George C. Lee II, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of supersede

Browse Nearby Words

supping

supplant

supplantation

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“Supplant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/supplant. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of supplant

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