REPLACE Synonyms: 14 Similar and Opposite Words

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

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

The words displace and replace are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, displace implies an ousting or dislodging. // war had displaced thousands

Q: When would 'supersede' be a good substitute for 'replace'?

While the synonyms supersede and replace are close in meaning, supersede implies replacing a person or thing that has become superannuated, obsolete, or otherwise inferior. // the new edition supersedes all previous ones

Q: In what contexts can 'supplant' take the place of 'replace'?

The synonyms supplant and replace are sometimes interchangeable, but 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

replace

verb

ri-ˈplās

Definition of replace

as in to supersede

to take the place of the old street lights were replaced by more energy-efficient models

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in to return

to bring, send, or put back to a former or proper place took the fragile vase down to look at it and then gently replaced it on the shelf

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

take
remove

Synonym Chooser

How is the word replace distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of replace are displace, supersede, and supplant. While all these words mean "to put out of a usual or proper place or into the place of another," replace implies a filling of a place once occupied by something lost, destroyed, or no longer usable or adequate.

replaced the broken window

When is it sensible to use displace instead of replace?

The words displace and replace are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, displace implies an ousting or dislodging.

war had displaced thousands

When would supersede be a good substitute for replace?

While the synonyms supersede and replace are close in meaning, supersede implies replacing a person or thing that has become superannuated, obsolete, or otherwise inferior.

the new edition supersedes all previous ones

In what contexts can supplant take the place of replace?

The synonyms supplant and replace are sometimes interchangeable, but 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

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 replace The original meeting house was destroyed by a tornado, rebuilt and later replaced by a parking lot; archaeologists uncovered its foundation and 62 graves in 2021. — Nancy Jiang, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026 Rachel Stockman has been named CEO of Law&Crime and Court TV, replacing Dan Abrams in title. — Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2026 Severino, who had the backing of then-Marlins part-owner Derek Jeter, had been hired to replace Rich Waltz, who was the Marlins’ TV voice from 2005 to 2017. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026 Katie Zacharia replaces Karoline Leavitt, who departed the White House in August after giving birth to her second child. — Natalie Allison, Washington Post, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for replace

Recent Examples of Synonyms for replace

Verb

Researchers generated hundreds of thousands of videos before the model was shut down and superseded by successive generations, Veo 2 and Veo 3, both of which were released to the public.

— Shanti Escalante-De Mattei, ARTnews.com, 12 Oct. 2026
The 30-page superseding indictment accuses the couple of overseeing a system of political repression that relied on Venezuela's military, intelligence agencies and security forces to torture their opponents, silence dissidents and maintain power.

— Alice Gainer, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of supersede

Verb

Bass began to thump from the other side of the wall, and, as if in a dream, the girls left one by one and returned sweating in the old familiar alchemy.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 Oct. 2026
The online retailer estimates about 50 percent of items ordered across its markets are returned.

— Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of return

Verb

The husband-and-wife duo painstakingly restored the home and opened it as a luxury bed-and-breakfast three years later.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2026
In the bedroom, there are deep-storage areas on top of the closet, and the oversize windows have had the original pocket shutters restored.

— Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of restore

Cite this Entry

Style

“Replace.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/replace. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of replace

verb

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