substitute

1 of 2

noun

sub·​sti·​tute ˈsəb-stə-ˌtüt How to pronounce substitute (audio)
-ˌtyüt
Synonyms of substitute
: a person or thing that takes the place or function of another
substitute adjective

substitute

2 of 2

verb

substituted; substituting

transitive verb

1
a
: to put or use in the place of another
b
: to introduce (an atom or group) as a substituent
also : to alter (something, such as a compound) by introduction of a substituent
a substituted benzene ring
2
: to take the place of : replace

intransitive verb

: to serve as a substitute

Synonyms of substitute

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Noun

Verb

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Examples of substitute in a Sentence

Noun 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 Verb One of our teachers is sick, so we need someone to substitute. They substituted real candles with electric ones.
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.
Noun
While ChatGPT isn’t a substitute for professional mental health care, our safeguards are designed to identify distress, safely handle harmful requests, and guide users to real-world help. — Laura Reiley, Vanity Fair, 9 Oct. 2026 Biochar could reportedly serve as a renewable substitute for standard conductive fillers. — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 8 Oct. 2026
Verb
So might be Haaland, who asked to be substituted midway through the second half of Norway's final Nations League game, but that might have been because of fatigue. — ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026 To be clear, none of these findings are evidence for skipping the gym; nothing in our data suggests the effects of past training can substitute for present training. — Diego Hernandez-Saavedra, The Conversation, 7 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for substitute

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French substitut, from Latin substitutus, past participle of substituere to put in place of, from sub- + statuere to set up, place — more at statute

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

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

Phrases Containing substitute

Rhymes for substitute

See All Rhymes for substitute

Browse Nearby Words

substitutable
substitute
substitute broker
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Substitute.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/substitute. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

substitute

1 of 2 noun
sub·​sti·​tute ˈsəb-stə-ˌt(y)üt How to pronounce substitute (audio)
: a person or thing that takes the place of another
substitute adjective

substitute

2 of 2 verb
substituted; substituting
1
: to put in the place of another : replace
2
: to serve as a substitute
substitution
ˌsəb-stə-ˈt(y)ü-shən
noun

Medical Definition

substitute

1 of 2 noun
sub·​sti·​tute ˈsəb-stə-ˌt(y)üt How to pronounce substitute (audio)
: a person or thing that takes the place or function of another
father and mother substitutes
substitute adjective

substitute

2 of 2 transitive verb
substituted; substituting
: to put or use in the place of another: as
a
: to introduce (an atom or group) as a substituent
b
: to alter (as a compound) by introduction of a substituent
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