SUBSTITUTE: Synonyms and Related Words. What is Another Word for SUBSTITUTE?

Need another word that means the same as “substitute”? Find 46 synonyms and 30 related words for “substitute” in this overview.

The synonyms of “Substitute” are: backup, backup man, fill-in, relief, reliever, stand-in, reserve, second-stringer, replacement, deputy, proxy, surrogate, cover, standby, locum, locum tenens, understudy, stopgap, alternative, ancillary, deputise, deputize, step in, fill in, stand in, sub, exchange, interchange, replace, use as a replacement, switch, provide cover, take over, act, act as deputy, act as stand-in, sit in, act as understudy, be a proxy, act as locum tenens, alternate, utility, ersatz

Substitute as a Noun

Definitions of "Substitute" as a noun

According to the Oxford Dictionary of English, “substitute” as a noun can have the following definitions:

• A deputy.
• A sports player nominated as eligible to replace another after a match has begun.
• A person or thing acting or serving in place of another.
• Someone who takes the place of another (as when things get dangerous or difficult.
• A person or thing that takes or can take the place of another.
• An athlete who plays only when a starter on the team is replaced.
• A person or thing that becomes the object of love or another emotion which is deprived of its natural outlet.

Synonyms of "Substitute" as a noun (20 Words)

alternative	One of two or more available possibilities. Audiobooks are an interesting alternative to reading.
ancillary	A person whose work provides necessary support to the primary activities of an organization, system, etc. The system measures engine power at the flywheel with all ancillaries (fan, standard exhaust, etc.) connected.
backup	The procedure for making backup copies of files or other items of data. No police backup could be expected.
backup man	A male subordinate.
cover	A natural object that covers or envelops. They made a cover of a Beatles song.
deputy	Someone authorized to exercise the powers of sheriff in emergencies. The deputy prime minister.
fill-in	Someone who takes the place of another (as when things get dangerous or difficult.
locum	Someone (physician or clergyman) who substitutes temporarily for another member of the same profession.
locum tenens	Someone (physician or clergyman) who substitutes temporarily for another member of the same profession.
proxy	A figure that can be used to represent the value of something in a calculation. Britons overseas may register to vote by proxy.
relief	A piece of sculpture in relief. The kiss and tell tale gave the nation some light relief from page after page of war coverage.
reliever	Someone who takes the place of another (as when things get dangerous or difficult. The team needs a right handed reliever.
replacement	Filling again by supplying what has been used up. A hip replacement.
reserve	A district that is reserved for particular purpose. The men were stationed as a central reserve ready to be transported wherever necessary.
second-stringer	An athlete who plays only when a starter on the team is replaced.
stand-in	Someone who takes the place of another (as when things get dangerous or difficult.
standby	A person or thing ready to be deployed immediately, especially if needed as backup in an emergency. Passengers were obliged to go on standby.
stopgap	Something contrived to meet an urgent need or emergency. Transplants are only a stopgap until more sophisticated alternatives can work.
surrogate	A person appointed to represent or act on behalf of others. The guidelines clearly mention the rights of surrogates and prospective parents.
understudy	An actor able to replace a regular performer when required. He has played as understudy to Celtic s usual goalkeeper.

Usage Examples of "Substitute" as a noun

• Soya milk is used as a substitute for dairy milk.
• Stewart was the Rovers substitute.
• A father substitute.
• A sheriff substitute.

Substitute as a Verb

Definitions of "Substitute" as a verb

According to the Oxford Dictionary of English, “substitute” as a verb can have the following definitions:

• Replace (an atom or group in a molecule, especially a hydrogen atom) with another.
• Replace (a sports player) with a substitute during a match.
• Use or add in place of.
• Replace (someone or something) with another.
• Act as a substitute.
• Be a substitute.
• Put in the place of another; switch seemingly equivalent items.
• Act or serve as a substitute.

Synonyms of "Substitute" as a verb (22 Words)

act	Perform an action or work out or perform an action. They challenged a man who was seen acting suspiciously.
act as deputy	Perform on a stage or theater.
act as locum tenens	Discharge one’s duties.
act as stand-in	Be suitable for theatrical performance.
act as understudy	Perform on a stage or theater.
be a proxy	Represent, as of a character on stage.
cover	Form a cover over. The period covered the turn of the century.
deputise	Appoint as a substitute.
deputize	Temporarily act or speak on behalf of someone else. The post holder is required to deputize for the manager in their absence.
exchange	Exchange or replace with another usually of the same kind or category. Exchange employees between branches of the company.
fill in	Assume, as of positions or roles.
interchange	(of two or more people) exchange (things) with each other. Interchange this screw for one of a smaller size.
provide cover	Determine (what is to happen in certain contingencies), especially by including a proviso condition or stipulation.
replace	Put (something) back in a previous place or position. He replaced the old razor blade.
sit in	Take a seat.
stand in	Be standing; be upright.
step in	Treat badly.
sub	Subedit. Who ll sub me till Thursday.
switch	Beat or flick with or as if with a switch. Switch to a different brand of beer.
take over	Take on a certain form, attribute, or aspect.
understudy	Be an understudy or alternate for a role. He had to understudy Prospero.
use as a replacement	Put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose.

Usage Examples of "Substitute" as a verb

• Customs officers substituted the drugs with another substance.
• Dried rosemary can be substituted for the fresh herb.
• Three of the hydrogen atoms of the methane molecule have been substituted by chlorine, bromine or iodine atoms.
• The skim milk substitutes for cream–we are on a strict diet.
• The young teacher had to substitute for the sick colleague.
• He was substituted eleven minutes from time.
• This was substituted by a new clause.
• Substitute regular milk for fat-free milk.
• I found someone to substitute for me.

Substitute as an Adjective

Definitions of "Substitute" as an adjective

According to the Oxford Dictionary of English, “substitute” as an adjective can have the following definitions:

• Artificial and inferior.
• Capable of substituting in any of several positions on a team.
• Serving or used in place of another.

Synonyms of "Substitute" as an adjective (4 Words)

alternate	Of leaves or shoots placed alternately on the two sides of the stem. Alternate bouts of intense labour and of idleness.
alternative	Necessitating a choice between mutually exclusive possibilities. Alternative possibilities were neutrality or war.
ersatz	(of a product) made or used as a substitute, typically an inferior one, for something else. Ersatz coffee.
utility	Used of beef; usable but inferior. Utility clothing.

Usage Examples of "Substitute" as an adjective

• Substitute coffee.

Associations of "Substitute" (30 Words)

agent	Any agent or representative of a federal agency or bureau. His agent was able to negotiate a long term contract.
alternate	Be an understudy or alternate for a role. Bouts of depression alternate with periods of elation.
alternating	(of a current) reversing direction. A season of alternating hot days and cool nights.
alternative	Relating to activities that depart from or challenge traditional norms. An alternative life style.
alternatively	As another option or possibility. Alternatively we could buy a used car.
deputy	A member of the lower chamber of a legislative assembly (such as in France. The deputy prime minister.
displace	Take the place of or have precedence over. His aides were discredited and displaced.
exchange	Exchange or replace with another usually of the same kind or category. They provided me with currency exchange at competitive rates.
fungible	A commodity that is freely interchangeable with another in satisfying an obligation. It is by no means the world s only fungible commodity.
indirect	Avoiding direct mention or exposition of a subject. Known as a shady indirect fellow.
instead	On the contrary. Walk to work instead of going by car.
interchange	Put in the place of another; switch seemingly equivalent items. I listened in shock to this venomous interchange.
permutation	The action of changing the arrangement, especially the linear order, of a set of items. His thoughts raced ahead to fifty different permutations of what he must do.
permute	Change the order or arrangement of. We wish to permute the order of the bytes.
proxy	A document authorizing a person to vote on another’s behalf. Britons overseas may register to vote by proxy.
replace	Put (something) back in a previous place or position. Smith replaced Miller as CEO after Miller left.
replacement	A person or thing that takes the place of another. The replacement of lost blood by a transfusion of donor blood.
replenishment	Restoration of a stock or supply to a former level or condition. A target for replenishment of depleted fish stocks.
reversal	A change to an opposite direction, position, or course of action. A reversal by the House of Lords of the Court of Appeal s decision.
secondary	A secondary feather. The stone will be hauled to a secondary crusher.
substitution	The act of putting one thing or person in the place of another. The substitution of rail services with buses.
successor	A person or thing that succeeds another. He was President Lincoln s successor.
supercede	Take the place or move into the position of.
supersede	Take the place of (a person or thing previously in authority or use); supplant. The older models of car have now been superseded.
supplant	Take the place or move into the position of. Domestic production has been supplanted by imports and jobs have been lost.
surrogate	Denoting a child to whom a woman gives birth as a surrogate mother. Paperwork that will allow them to move forward with the surrogate process.
swap	Exchange or give (something) in exchange for. Swap one of your sandwiches for a cheese and pickle.
transpose	Cause (two or more things) to exchange places. An evacuation order transposed the school from Kent to Shropshire.
transposition	A kind of mutation in which a chromosomal segment is transfered to a new position on the same or another chromosome. He wrote a textbook on the electrical effects of transposition.
vicarious	Experienced at secondhand. Vicarious atonement.