sub·sti·tute
ˈsəb-stə-ˌtüt 
-ˌtyüt
: a person or thing that takes the place or function of another
substitute
adjective
substituted; substituting
1
a
: to put or use in the place of another
b
: to introduce (an atom or group) as a substituent
also
: to alter (something, such as a compound) by introduction of a substituent
a substituted benzene ring
2
: to take the place of : replace
: to serve as a substitute
Examples of substitute in a Sentence
Noun
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
Verb
One of our teachers is sick, so we need someone to substitute.
They substituted real candles with electric ones.
Recent Examples on the Web
Liam Twomey, New York Times, 3 May 2025
The information provided by Diversified, LLC should not be a substitute for consulting a qualified tax advisor, accountant, or other professional concerning the application of tax law or an individual tax situation.
—Andrew Rosen, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 1 May 2025
Martinez may not have scored against Barcelona, and was substituted with a leg injury that may keep him out of next Tuesday’s second leg, but the Argentina striker was at the heart of Inter’s first-half success.
—Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for substitute
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Noun
Initially, his desire to field both relegated Fernandez to the substitutes’ bench.
—Liam Twomey, New York Times, 3 May 2025
The information provided by Diversified, LLC should not be a substitute for consulting a qualified tax advisor, accountant, or other professional concerning the application of tax law or an individual tax situation.
—Andrew Rosen, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
Verb
Thanks to industry innovation, modern formulas are switching things up, substituting hygroscopic ingredients with moisture-retaining alternatives like sugars or proteins for tousled waves without the crunch.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 1 May 2025
Martinez may not have scored against Barcelona, and was substituted with a leg injury that may keep him out of next Tuesday’s second leg, but the Argentina striker was at the heart of Inter’s first-half success.
—Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for substitute
Cite this Entry
“Substitute.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/substitute. Accessed 7 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
substitute
1 of 2 noun
sub·sti·tute
ˈsəb-stə-ˌt(y)üt
: a person or thing that takes the place of another
substitute
adjective
substitute
2 of 2 verb
substituted; substituting
1
: to put in the place of another : replace
2
: to serve as a substitute
substitution
noun
ˌsəb-stə-ˈt(y)ü-shən
Medical Definition
substitute
1 of 2 noun
sub·sti·tute
ˈsəb-stə-ˌt(y)üt
: a person or thing that takes the place or function of another
father and mother substitutes
substitute
adjective
substitute
2 of 2 transitive verb
substituted; substituting
: to put or use in the place of another: as
a
: to introduce (an atom or group) as a substituent
b
: to alter (as a compound) by introduction of a substituent
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