Synonyms of substitute

substitute 1 of 3

noun

ˈsəb-stə-ˌtüt 

as in replacement

a person or thing that takes the place of another

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• replacement
• backup
• stand-in
• surrogate
• sub
• assistant
• cover
• reserve
• relief
• proxy
• fill-in
• alternate
• pinch hitter
• delegate
• deputy
• designated hitter
• locum tenens
• second
• agent
• makeshift
• representative
• stopgap
• factor
• successor
• apology
• attorney
• understudy
• assignee
• commissary
• rep
• envoy
• procurator
• reliever
• superseder

substitute

2 of 3

adjective

1

as in synthetic

being such in appearance only and made with or manufactured from usually cheaper materials

substitute wools that supposedly have the look and feel of cashmere

Synonyms & Similar Words

• synthetic
• faux
• artificial
• simulated
• imitation
• fake
• dummy
• false
• mock
• imitative
• mimic
• manufactured
• ersatz
• pretend
• designer
• counterfeit
• factitious
• bogus
• sham
• process
• man-made
• deceptive
• engineered
• manipulated
• cultured
• forged
• fabricated
• adulterated
• pseudo
• concocted
• misleading
• unauthentic
• doctored
• phoney
• fraudulent
• juggled
• phony
• feigned
• tampered (with)
• affected
• fudged
• pinchbeck
• spurious
• brummagem

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• real
• natural
• genuine
• legitimate
• true
• valuable
• authentic
• bona fide
• pure
• quality
• premium
• unadulterated

2

as in alternative

taking the place of one that came before

had to find substitute transportation during the bus strike

Synonyms & Similar Words

• alternative
• new
• alternate
• makeshift
• other
• substitutive
• another
• extra
• second
• different
• pinch
• separate
• spare
• equivalent
• improvised
• successive
• utility
• jury

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• original
• first
• former
• same
• equal
• identical
• permanent
• lasting

substitute

3 of 3

verb

1

as in to exchange

to give up (something) and take something else in return

can I substitute coleslaw for potato salad if I order the chicken plate?

Synonyms & Similar Words

• exchange
• swap
• trade
• change
• replace
• switch
• commute
• shift
• supersede
• displace
• interchange
• yield
• surrender
• cede
• reciprocate
• hand over

2

as in to spell

to serve as a replacement usually for a time only

substituting for the talk show host while she is on vacation

Synonyms & Similar Words

• spell
• cover
• stand in
• sub
• fill in
• step in
• take over
• pinch-hit
• understudy
• relieve
• double (as)

3

as in to replace

to take the place of

"John Doe," "Jane Doe," and "Baby Doe" substituted the real names of the parties involved to preserve their privacy

Synonyms & Similar Words

• replace
• supersede
• supplant
• relieve
• displant
• displace
• cut out
• usurp
• preempt

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of substitute

Noun

Reposting stories or tweeting a shocking statistic is not a substitute for real, grassroots action that brings about change. —Padma Balaji, Mercury News, 11 Sep. 2025

When a film delivers both scares and a great story, audiences turn out in huge numbers because there is simply no substitute for the thrill of horror on the big screen. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 9 Sep. 2025

Adjective

The 30-year-old has gone from being fourth-choice goalkeeper at Wolves, making one substitute appearance in his two seasons at Molineux, to third-choice at Everton. —Tim Spiers, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2025

However, critics say just about anyone could claim to be a substitute caregiver under the legislation’s loose definition, thereby potentially endangering children rather than protecting them. —Dan Walters, Oc Register, 21 Aug. 2025

Verb

Taking the question further, and assuming the Fed capable of the magic that Democrats, Republicans and even libertarians ascribe to it, won’t private capital retreat overcome the Fed substituting itself for the marketplace in the first place? —John Tamny, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025

In addition, Levi products can easily be substituted for other brands. —Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025