replace

[ ri-pleys ]

verb (used with object)

, re·placed, re·plac·ing.

1. to assume the former role, position, or function of; substitute for (a person or thing):

   Electricity has replaced gas in lighting.

   Synonyms: succeed

2. to provide a substitute or equivalent in the place of:

   to replace a broken dish.

3. to restore; return; make good:

   to replace a sum of money borrowed.

   Synonyms: repay, refund

4. to restore to a former or the proper place:

   to replace the vase on the table.

replace

/ rɪˈpleɪs /

verb

1. to take the place of; supersede

   the manual worker is being replaced by the machine

2. to substitute a person or thing for (another which has ceased to fulfil its function); put in place of

   to replace an old pair of shoes

3. to put back or return; restore to its rightful place

Derived Forms

• reˌplaceaˈbility, noun
• reˈplaceable, adjective
• reˈplacer, noun

Other Words From

• re·placea·ble adjective
• re·placea·bili·ty noun
• re·placer noun
• nonre·placea·ble adjective
• quasi-re·placed adjective
• unre·placea·ble adjective
• unre·placed adjective
• well-re·placed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of replace¹

First recorded in 1585–95; re- + place

Synonym Study

Replace, supersede, supplant refer to putting one thing or person in place of another. To replace is to take the place of, to succeed: Ms. Jones will replace Mr. Smith as president. Supersede implies that that which is replacing another is an improvement: The computer has superseded the typewriter. Supplant implies that that which takes the other's place has ousted the former holder and usurped the position or function, especially by art or fraud: to supplant a former favorite.

Example Sentences

Flynn has been tipped as a future SNP leader, but he said there would not be a contest to replace Swinney for a "long, long time".

From BBC

She was suspended for an initial 18 months which will be replaced with a permanent suspension, although she can choose to appeal.

From BBC

In elections this month, two ballpark supporters on the county commission were replaced by ballpark skeptics.

From Los Angeles Times

Tata has closed its two coal-fired blast furnaces and is to replace them with an electric furnace that will need fewer workers.

From BBC

We don’t yet have a new concept to replace this one, though.

From Salon

Related Words

• change
• follow
• oust
• recover
• reinstate
• restore
• succeed
• supplant
• supply
• take over
• take over from