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Substitute vs Replace - What's the difference?

substitute | replace |

In transitive terms the difference between substitute and replace

is that substitute is in the phrase "substitute X with/by Y", to use Y in place of X; to replace X with Y while replace is to demolish a building and build an updated form of that building in its place.

As a noun substitute

is a replacement or stand-in for something that achieves a similar result or purpose.

substitute

English

Verb

(substitut)
  • To use in place of something else, with the same function.
    • I had no shallots so I substituted onion.
  • In the phrase "substitute X for Y", to use X in place of Y. With increasing frequency used in the semantically opposite sense (see the OED's notes).
    • I had to substitute new parts for the old ones.
  • In the phrase "substitute X with/by Y", to use Y in place of X; to replace X with Y
    • I had to substitute old parts with the new ones. (This usage was formerly proscribed.)
  • (sports) To remove (a player) from the field of play and bring on another in his place.
    • He was playing poorly and was substituted after twenty minutes
  • * {{quote-news
    • , year=2011 , date=April 11 , author=Phil McNulty , title=Liverpool 3 - 0 Man City , work=BBC Sport citation , page= , passage=Mario Balotelli replaced Tevez but his contribution was so negligible that he suffered the indignity of being substituted himself as time ran out, a development that encapsulated a wretched 90 minutes for City and boss Roberto Mancini. }}
  • To serve as a replacement (for someone or something)
  • * 1987 , , Essays in Economics, Vol. 2 , p. 75
    • Accumulation of wealth by this route may substitute for personal saving.

    Usage notes

    The verb "to substitute" can be used transitively in two opposite ways. "To substitute X" may mean either "use X in place of something else" (as in definitions 1 and 2), or "use something else in place of X" (as in definitions 3 and 4). The latter use is more recent, but it is widespread and now generally accepted (see the COED's note on the matter). However, if the indirect object (the "something else") is omitted, the preposition is also omitted, and the reader or hearer cannot tell which sense is meant: * "Substitute butter for olive oil" = Use butter instead of olive oil * "Substitute olive oil for butter" = Use olive oil instead of butter * "Substitute butter" = ??? * "Substitute olive oil" = ???

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A replacement or stand-in for something that achieves a similar result or purpose.
  • * De Quincey
    • Ladies [in Shakespeare's age] wore masks as the sole substitute known to our ancestors for the modern parasol.
  • (sports) A player who is available to replace another if the need arises, and who may or may not actually do so.
  • * {{quote-news
    • , year=2011 , date=November 3 , author=David Ornstein , title=Macc Tel-Aviv 1 - 2 Stoke , work=BBC Sport citation , page= , passage=Dean Whitehead opened the scoring shortly after the break with a low finish and substitute Peter Crouch sealed the win with a tap-in.}}
  • (historical) One who enlists for military service in the place of a conscript.

    • Synonyms

    * See also

    replace

    English

    (Webster 1913)

    Verb

    (replac)
  • To restore to a former place, position, condition, or the like.
    • When you've finished using the telephone, please replace the handset.
    The earl...was replaced in his government. — .
  • To refund; to repay; to restore; as, to replace a sum of money borrowed.
    • You can take what you need from the petty cash, but you must replace it tomorrow morning.
  • To supply or substitute an equivalent for.
    • I replaced my car with a newer model.
    The batteries were dead so I replaced them
  • * '>citation
    • Next Wednesday, four women and 15 men on the Crown Nominations Commission will gather for two days of prayer and horsetrading to replace Rowan Williams as archbishop of Canterbury.
  • To take the place of; to supply the want of; to fulfill the end or office of.
    • This security pass replaces the one you were given earlier.
    This duty of right intention does not replace or supersede the duty of consideration. — .
  • To demolish a building and build an updated form of that building in its place.
  • (rare) To place again.
  • (rare) To put in a new or different place.

    • Usage notes

    The propriety of the use of "replace" instead of "displace", "supersede", or "take the place of", as in the fourth definition, has been disputed on account of etymological discrepancy, but is standard English and universally accepted.

    Derived terms

    * replaceable * replacement

    Related terms

    * eliminate

    Anagrams

    * English transitive verbs ----