Synonyms of supplant

supplant

verb

sə-ˈplant 

as in to replace

to take the place of

old traditions that were fading away and being supplanted by modern ways

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonym Chooser

How is the word supplant distinct from other similar verbs?

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

When is it sensible to use displace instead of supplant?

Although the words displace and supplant have much in common, displace implies an ousting or dislodging.

war had displaced thousands

When could replace be used to replace supplant?

In some situations, the words replace and supplant are roughly equivalent. However, replace implies a filling of a place once occupied by something lost, destroyed, or no longer usable or adequate.

replaced the broken window

When can supersede be used instead of supplant?

The words supersede and supplant are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, supersede implies replacing a person or thing that has become superannuated, obsolete, or otherwise inferior.

the new edition supersedes all previous ones

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of supplant

Yousef masterfully carries us along from the women’s happier memories of Kinkade as a devoted family man to someone whose work and fame began to supplant the needs of his wife and kids. —Gary Goldstein, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2025

There was a time when the U.S. Open attempted to claim that title, and it was usually supplanted by The Open Championship – a tournament once known as The British Open. —Steve Silverman, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025

In January, Trump signed an executive order directing Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to establish the ERS to collect revenue from the president’s tariffs and potentially even supplant the Internal Revenue Service. —Christian Datoc, The Washington Examiner, 8 Apr. 2025

Image But as print magazines were supplanted as tastemakers by a chaotic online scrum, celebrity became more subjective. —Annie Aguiar, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025