substitute

²substitute

verb

substitut·edsubstitut·ing

Definition of SUBSTITUTE

transitive verb

1

a : to put or use in the place of another b : to introduce (an atom or group) as a substituent; also : to alter (as a compound) by introduction of a substituent <a substituted benzene ring>

2

: to take the place of : replace

intransitive verb

: to serve as a substitute

Examples of SUBSTITUTE

1. One of our teachers is sick, so we need someone to substitute.
2. They substituted real candles with electric ones.

First Known Use of SUBSTITUTE

circa 1594

Related to SUBSTITUTE

Synonyms: commute, exchange, shift, change, swap, switch, trade

Related Words: interchange; displace, replace, supersede; cede, hand over, surrender, yield; reciprocate

see all synonyms and antonyms

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