sub·sti·tute
ˈsəb-stə-ˌtüt 
-ˌtyüt
: a person or thing that takes the place or function of another
substitute
adjective
substituted; substituting
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
: to serve as a substitute
Synonyms
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
Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 8 Sep. 2024
It's often seasoned and used as a substitute for tortillas, cut into chips, or rolled to wrap fish and rice to make sushi.
—Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 8 Sep. 2024
Lauren Feiner, The Verge, 10 Sep. 2024
But as my mom pointed out a few years ago, sporadic visits can’t substitute for the intimacy of daily (or at least more frequent than Christmas and birthdays) contact.
—Nell Derick Debevoise, Forbes, 4 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for substitute 
Noun
Like her work in Blonde, De Armas substitutes overt sexuality for character study, hoping bravado can obscure her shortcomings.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 8 Sep. 2024
It's often seasoned and used as a substitute for tortillas, cut into chips, or rolled to wrap fish and rice to make sushi.
—Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 8 Sep. 2024
Verb
Across the testimonies, the government tried to establish that programmatic display advertising is not something publishers can easily substitute with other types of advertising, including direct deals with advertisers or ads on social media sites.
—Lauren Feiner, The Verge, 10 Sep. 2024
But as my mom pointed out a few years ago, sporadic visits can’t substitute for the intimacy of daily (or at least more frequent than Christmas and birthdays) contact.
—Nell Derick Debevoise, Forbes, 4 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for substitute
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'substitute.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near substitute
Cite this Entry
“Substitute.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/substitute. Accessed 16 Sep. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
substitute
1 of 2 noun
sub·sti·tute
ˈsəb-stə-ˌt(y)üt
: 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
noun
ˌsəb-stə-ˈt(y)ü-shən
Medical Definition
substitute
1 of 2 noun
sub·sti·tute
ˈsəb-stə-ˌt(y)üt
: 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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