as in replacements
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
Relevance
1
as in swaps
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
2
as in spells
to serve as a replacement usually for a time only
substituting for the talk show host while she is on vacation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of substitutes
Andy Naylor, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
Training must emphasize that risk scores and recommendations are tools for professional judgment, not substitutes for it.
—Maureen Flatley, Boston Herald, 31 Dec. 2025
Material World is a weekly roundup of innovations and ideas within the materials sector, covering what’s changing in how fashion is made, scaled or engineered from emerging biomaterials and alternative leathers to sustainable substitutes and future-proof fibers.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 26 Dec. 2025
None of these competitive threats can measure up to Vera Rubin, and while not Tinkertoys, they can only be considered substitutes for dumber tasks.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 21 Dec. 2025
Reduce the amount of sugar or use sugar substitutes in your recipes.
—Sohaib Imtiaz, Verywell Health, 16 Dec. 2025
Both coffee and tea can also serve as healthier substitutes for other drinks too.
—Korin Miller, SELF, 7 Nov. 2025
Dave Smith, Fortune, 8 Nov. 2025
Noun
But the 34-year-old German helped Brighton manage the last 20 minutes of a routine 2-0 victory over second-from-bottom Burnley with efficiency, alongside fellow substitutes Danny Welbeck and James Milner, as Fabian Hurzeler’s side ended a run of six matches without a win with the minimum of fuss.
—Verb
Target’s four-person meal costs less than $20, about the same as in 2024, but substitutes green beans and cream of mushroom soup for French bread and frozen corn — also not an apples-to-apples comparison.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for substitutes
Noun
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But this session will be Polis’ last, and union groups — who have shelved plans to launch a pro-worker ballot campaign — are now starting to eye the governor’s would-be replacements.—
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Kennedy also fired all 17 members of the CDC's vaccine advisory panel and handpicked their replacements, and has been criticized.—
Verb
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In a new trailer for The Death of Robin Hood released on January 6, Jackman swaps out his clean-shaven ethos for a rugged silver fox transformation, complete with a long grizzled beard and wiry gray hair.—
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Follow along as Santa swaps his sleigh for a Carnival cruise ship!—
Verb
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While a visit from Randy spells nothing but chaos, Flula Borg describes himself as the opposite.—
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That spells good news for Boise State redshirt junior quarterback Maddux Madsen, who often looks at his best when given time in the pocket.—
Verb
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Despite his level-headedness, Mike is mightily discontent with the low-wattage gigs that are arranged for him by, of all people, his dentist (Fisher Stevens), who soon replaces that absent tooth.—
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Landis replaces KevinWallace, who retired in December after 40 seasons as a head coach in Kentucky.—
Verb
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Bessent insists the rescue isn’t a bailout because under the currency swap agreement Argentina exchanges pesos for dollars.—
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Miami field goal After each team exchanges punts, Miami’s Carter Davis kicks a 41-yard field goal to get UM back within four of Louisville.—
Verb
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This action supersedes any prior notices which may have been received related to grant termination.—
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The new guidance supersedes previous guidelines published in February 2024.—
Verb
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While revenue and profit are growing rapidly, the multiples have shot up much faster, and the stock now trades for about 220 times forward earnings, a ratio that rivals Tesla’s.—
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Timothée Chalamet trades Bob Dylan's harmonica for a ping-pong paddle.—
Verb
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The total misuse of COVID funds in the district, which covers the Charlotte metro area, includes tens of millions, The Charlotte Observer previously reported.—
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Inside the manor house, a rustic spread including cornetti, orange cakes, apricot pastries, homemade granola, and local cheese covers an enormous industrial-style table.—
Cite this Entry
“Substitutes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/substitutes. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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