substitute

[suhb-sti-toot, -tyoot] / ˈsʌb stɪˌtut, -ˌtyut /

ADJECTIVE

alternative

Synonyms

STRONG

acting alternate backup counterfeit dummy ersatz imitation makeshift mock near proxy pseudo replacement representative reserve second sham simulated stopgap surrogate temporary

WEAK

additional another artificial experimental false other provisional spurious substitutive supplemental supplementary supposititious symbolic tentative vicarial vicarious

Antonyms

STRONG

finished genuine permanent real true

NOUN

someone or something that takes the place of another

Synonyms

STRONGEST

backup replacement stand-in surrogate

STRONG

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

WEAK

dernier ressort ghost writer locum tenens pinch-hitter temporary expedient

Antonyms

STRONG

being entity permanent

VERB

interchange, exchange

Synonyms

STRONGEST

replace supplant swap

STRONG

alternate change commute deputize displace proxy relieve spell sub supersede switch

WEAK

act for answer for back up be in place of cover for do the work of double for fill in for fill one's position go as serve in one's stead stand for stand in (for) swap places with take another's place take over

Antonyms

STRONG

continue keep

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Shea Charles scored an 85th-minute winner to dump the Gunners out of the competition after substitute Viktor Gyokeres had levelled following Ross Stewart's first-half opener.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

I have nothing against “prequels” in themselves—they date back to Virgil’s “Aeneid”—but they are no substitute for the original books.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

The analysis showed that salt substitute use has remained consistently low across the U.S. population:

From Science Daily • Mar. 31, 2026

He reminded investors that there’s no substitute for” long-term, line-by-line analysis of capital structures” rather than relying on market sentiment to tell you when a crisis is brewing.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 31, 2026

And in the Carolina colony, where molasses was called “long sugar,” it served as a substitute for sugar.

From "1919 The Year That Changed America" by Martin W. Sandler

substitute

Example Sentences

Related Words