substitute
16 synonyms for substitute, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To use one thing or person in place of another.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. verb
To use one thing or person in place of another.
“If you have no butter, you can substitute margarine in most cakes.”
replacement
stand-in
alternative
fill-in
surrogate
proxy
deputize
interchange
deputise
swap
replace
exchange
2. noun
A person or thing used in place of another.
“Soya milk is a popular substitute for cow's milk in coffee.”
How to use substitute
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
substitute teacher
substitute for
adequate substitute
Etymology
From Latin substitutus, past participle of substituere, from sub- ("in place of") plus statuere ("to set up").
Full origin of substitute →Frequently asked questions
What does “substitute” mean?
The word “substitute” means to use one thing or person in place of another. In plain terms, a stand-in — something or someone that takes the place of another.
How do you pronounce “substitute”?
“Substitute” is pronounced SUHB-stih-choot (/ˈsʌb.stɪ.tʃuːt/ in IPA).
How do you use “substitute” in a sentence?
Here is “substitute” used in a sentence: “You can substitute honey for sugar in this recipe.”
What is another word for “substitute”?
Words with a similar meaning to “substitute” include swap.
What part of speech is “substitute”?
Depending on how it is used, “substitute” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “substitute” come from?
The word “substitute” comes from Latin. From Latin substitutus, past participle of substituere, from sub- ("in place of") plus statuere ("to set up").
Is “substitute” a common word?
“Substitute” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “substitute” have?
“Substitute” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to use one thing or person in place of another.
What is the difference between "substitute" and "replace"?
To "replace" usually means to remove something permanently and put a new thing in its place, while to "substitute" often implies a temporary or interchangeable swap. You substitute one ingredient for another in a recipe, but you replace a broken part.
Do you say "substitute for" or "substitute with"?
In careful usage you substitute one thing for another, where the new item takes the old one's place, as in "substitute margarine for butter." "Substitute with" is increasingly common in speech but is traditionally considered less precise.
What is the difference between a "substitute" and a "replacement"?
A "substitute" is often a temporary or alternative stand-in, such as a substitute teacher who fills in for the day, whereas a "replacement" usually implies a more permanent successor. Both refer to a person or thing used in place of another.
