DISPLACE Synonyms: 128 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'displace' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of displace are replace , supersede , and supplant . While all these words mean "to put out of a usual or proper place or into the place of another," displace implies an ousting or dislodging. // war had displaced thousands

Q: When can 'replace' be used instead of 'displace'?

The synonyms replace and displace are sometimes interchangeable, but replace implies a filling of a place once occupied by something lost, destroyed, or no longer usable or adequate. // replaced the broken window

Q: When is 'supersede' a more appropriate choice than 'displace'?

In some situations, the words supersede and displace are roughly equivalent. However, supersede implies replacing a person or thing that has become superannuated, obsolete, or otherwise inferior. // the new edition supersedes all previous ones

Q: In what contexts can 'supplant' take the place of 'displace'?

While the synonyms supplant and displace are close in meaning, 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

displace

verb

(ˌ)dis-ˈplās

Definition of displace

as in to remove

to change the place or position of the slight tremor displaced the dishes on the shelves, but didn't do any real damage

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to relegate

to force to leave a country World War II displaced people all over Europe

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to replace

to take the place of inefficient methods displaced by newer ones

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to depose

to remove from a position of prominence or power (as a throne) the CEO was summarily displaced after the hostile takeover

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word displace distinct from other similar verbs?

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

war had displaced thousands

When can replace be used instead of displace?

The synonyms replace and displace are sometimes interchangeable, but replace implies a filling of a place once occupied by something lost, destroyed, or no longer usable or adequate.

replaced the broken window

When is supersede a more appropriate choice than displace?

In some situations, the words supersede and displace are roughly equivalent. However, supersede implies replacing a person or thing that has become superannuated, obsolete, or otherwise inferior.

the new edition supersedes all previous ones

In what contexts can supplant take the place of displace?

While the synonyms supplant and displace are close in meaning, 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

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of displace Similar debates were sparked by the building of Brazil’s Belo Monte dam, inaugurated in 2016, which displaced more than 40,000 people; and Colombia’s El Quimbo dam, on which construction began in 2011. — Hira Humayun, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2026 But the district meet allows for only seven varsity runners from each team, meaning the male runner will very likely displace one of his female teammates. — Matt Calkins Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026 After that, the show was displaced when Oxygen morphed into a true-crime cable outlet. — Michael Schneider, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026 The Los Angeles Fire Department said several apartment units were declared uninhabitable, leaving nearly 90 residents displaced. — Chelsea Hylton, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for displace

Recent Examples of Synonyms for displace

Verb

Meanwhile, On and Dior have also reportedly removed Chinese promotional content featuring Mbappé, although neither had announced a global termination, according to Chinese news outlet Phoenix.

— Matthew Tan, CNBC, 28 Oct. 2026
That designation was removed last year by an outside counsel.

— Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of remove

Verb

Garver struggled offensively in Seattle compared with his time in Texas and was relegated to a backup role behind catcher Cal Raleigh.

— Ryan Canfield OutKick, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Instead, he’s often relegated to the role of good-faith interlocutor, trying his best to get to the truth of who Holmes and Evans are, the nature of their relationship, and their motivations for participating in this project.

— Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of relegate

Verb

Continue reading … DIRTY POLITICS — Antifa supporter charged with stealing GOP campaign signs in NY race to replace Stefanik.

— , FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
It's called an exchange because borrowing entities, like a regional heating oil retailer, would be required to replace the same volume at a premium ahead of next year.

— Cooper Katz McKim, NPR, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of replace

Verb

How far might a nation go that had no kings to depose, no entrenched hierarchies to uproot, a country so young and iconoclastic and resource-rich?

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026
Meanwhile, back at the family mansion, her brother and sister scheme to depose their father.

— The Know, Denver Post, 13 Sep. 2026

Definition of depose

Verb

In the 1960s, archaeologists carried out a massive project to dismantle and relocate the temple, moving it out of the path of rising waters created by the Aswan High Dam.

— ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026
Somewhere down the line, Sheridan relocated and retitled the show.

— Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of relocate

Verb

To help banish the endless procrastination, National Geographic’s 2027 list of 25 must-visit destinations for the year ahead is one of its most timely and experience-driven recommendations yet.

— Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2026
The Industry actress was banished from Season 2 of The Celebrity Traitors last week and has reflected on her experience on the Studio Lambert series in an Instagram post.

— Jake Kanter, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of banish

Verb

Foundry Park supersedes Lincoln Yards, developer Sterling Bay's controversial $6 billion redevelopment plan for the same area.

— Adam Harrington, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
Auburn’s trustees are asserting that their authority supersedes not only faculty expertise, but professional norms, disciplinary standards, and even accrediting bodies.

— Beth Davis Sramek, Washington Post, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of supersede

Verb

Elsewhere, long-running demonstrations in Albania and Serbia have focused more on anti-corruption, spiraling into movements seeking to topple each country’s government.

— Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
Strong winds toppled trees in Flagstaff and Mesa, with some landing on walls and carports.

— Wufei Yu, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of topple

Browse Nearby Words

dispirits

displace

displaceable

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Style

“Displace.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/displace. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of displace

verb

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Synonyms of displace

verb

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