substituting

verb

present participle of substitute
1
as in exchanging
to give up (something) and take something else in return can I substitute coleslaw for potato salad if I order the chicken plate?

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in covering
to serve as a replacement usually for a time only substituting for the talk show host while she is on vacation

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in replacing
to take the place of "John Doe," "Jane Doe," and "Baby Doe" substituted the real names of the parties involved to preserve their privacy

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 substituting Run an empty load with hot water, substituting white vinegar for detergent. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 30 June 2026 The amounts are so small that adding or substituting Himalayan salt for regular salt will have no nutritional impact. — Sheah Rarback, Miami Herald, 30 May 2026 In response to high food prices, seniors may be eating less frequently and substituting less expensive items for pricier ones, such as beef, to help curb their grocery costs, Johnson said. — Lorie Konish, CNBC, 12 June 2026 That charming and shaggy approach is fitting for such a campy and irreverent comedy, ultimately substituting polish for an equal mixture of artistic grit and careless joy. — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 12 June 2026 Although research results are mixed, some studies show that substituting other fats in the diet with avocados may result in significant reductions in triglyceride levels. — Brittany Lubeck, Verywell Health, 18 June 2026 That creates the risk of symbolic legislation substituting for meaningful governance. — Sreedhar Potarazu, Baltimore Sun, 14 June 2026 Contrary to what many people assume, substituting quantum vulnerable algorithms for PQC ones is anything but a drop-and-replace exercise. — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 23 June 2026 In the present day, when artificial intelligence is taking over much translation work, this 500-year-old conflict reminds us that translation is never a simple matter of substituting one word for another. — Michael Bruening, The Conversation, 30 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for substituting
  1. exchanging
  2. covering
  3. replacing
  4. swapping
  5. spelling
  6. superseding
  7. changing
  8. subbing
Verb
  • The former couple was very public with their romance, posting photos from their getaways on Instagram and exchanging kisses at award shows.
    — Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • Swift and Kelce are exchanging vows at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan, according to the Associated Press.
    — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 2 July 2026
Definition of exchanging
Verb
  • Robbie Ray threw six efficient innings after regrouping from a fall while covering first base, Willy Adames hit a two-run double as part of a four-run opening frame and the San Francisco Giants beat the Colorado Rockies 6-4 on Saturday night.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 July 2026
  • Maybe Bill Plaschke would be aware of that, and give due credit, if his hometown major newspaper bothered to have a dedicated correspondent covering one of the city’s NBA teams.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
Definition of covering
Verb
  • Australia answered our prayers, replacing the impressive Patrick Beach, who made an excellent save late in regulation to keep the scores level, with 34-year-old Mat Ryan in the final seconds of extra time.
    — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 4 July 2026
  • Work is underway on a bridge in Caraballeda, where authorities are replacing guardrails, laying new asphalt and repairing expansion joints to restore safe travel conditions.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 4 July 2026
Definition of replacing
Verb
  • Customization options include swapping sour cream for Greek yogurt and adding garnishes like bacon or herbs.
    — Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 July 2026
  • Its portfolio includes battery-electric, hybrid, and hydrogen fuel cell machines, along with battery-swapping and plug-in charging solutions.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 3 July 2026
Definition of swapping
Verb
  • The point is to protect spouses by spelling this out before a split, when things — especially finances — can get messy, according to the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel.
    — Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 1 July 2026
  • But the part of the building once covered with letters spelling the president’s name is now shrouded in a tarp.
    — Steven Sloan, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2026
Definition of spelling
Verb
  • Coral Springs resident Kashou was charged by a superseding indictment earlier this month in the Northern District of Texas, along with several co-defendants, with conspiracy to violate the Federal Anti-Kickback Statute.
    — Angie DiMichele, Sun Sentinel, 26 June 2026
  • That charge — misprision of a felony — was filed in a superseding information Alvarez pleaded to, which followed the original indictment.
    — Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2026
Definition of superseding
Verb
  • The reason is that the administration has shrunk the requirements for reports of immunization from states, changing the reports from mandated to voluntary.
    — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
  • One is mainly about efficiency, while the other is about changing outcomes.
    — Andy Springer, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of changing
Verb
  • Nicolás Paz, who made his World Cup debut subbing in for Messi late in the 3-0 win over Algeria in the opener, made his first start in his spot this time.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 June 2026
  • That included one that came seconds after subbing into the game midway through the fourth quarter.
    — Annie Costabile, New York Times, 12 June 2026
Definition of subbing

Browse Nearby Words

substitutes
substituting
substitution
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Cite this Entry

“Substituting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/substituting. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of substituting for Spanish Speakers

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