changelings

see definition of changeling

as insubstitute

Word Origin & History

1550s, "one given to change," from change (n.) + diminutive suffix -ling. Meaning "person or thing left in place of one secretly taken" is from 1560s; specific reference to an infant or young child (usually stupid or ugly) supposedly left by the faeries in place of one they took is from 1580s. An earlier word for it was oaf or auf.

Example Sentences for changelings

I tell you I'm a changeling, and changelings can't be taught.

She couldn't tell stories; she didn't believe in changelings.

Mowbray had been disgusted at first—faces like changelings, atrocious like chickens.

It is the Changelings who are behind this restlessness—the Human element.

You Changelings are becoming more Amphibian every day and less Human.

Yes, and you may ...

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Synonyms for changelings

noun someone or something that takes the place of another

backup
replacement
stand-in
surrogate
agent
alternate
assistant
auxiliary
changeling
delegate
deputy
double
dummy
equivalent
expediency
expedient
fill-in
ghost
locum
makeshift
procurator
proxy
recourse
refuge
relay
relief
representative
reserve
resort
resource
standby
stopgap
sub
succedaneum
successor
supplanter
supply
symbol
temp
temporary
understudy
vicar
dernier ressort
ghost writer
locum tenens
pinch-hitter
temporary expedient

Antonyms for changelings

being
entity
permanent

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