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

• reˈplaceable, adjective
• reˈplacer, noun
• reˌplaceaˈbility, 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 Supersede implies that that which is replacing another is an improvement: The computer has superseded the typewriter.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

Rolled-up socks and laundry baskets have replaced balls and nets.

From Washington Post

The team is coming off a 4-12 season and has hired Nick Caserio as its general manger and David Culley as its coach to replace Bill O’Brien, who was fired from both roles in October.

From Washington Post

If you don’t love it, weigh the cost of replacing it against starting over.

From Washington Post

One way to practice this, she said, is by creating new hope to replace the hope you’ve lost.

From Washington Post

Riders of Metro’s Blue Line will need to seek alternatives starting Saturday as the transit agency shuts the line down for three months to replace platforms at two stations.

From Washington Post

He also wants to “replace every existing organism with a better one.”

From The Daily Beast

But this year, instead of simply voting against Boehner on Tuesday, at least two members of the group are vying to replace him.

From The Daily Beast

It has grown from a rotten root—striving to replace human judgment with detailed dictates.

From The Daily Beast

Because this food source could abruptly disappear at any time, cutworm moths cannot be counted on to replace pine nuts.

From The Daily Beast

But Klein offers nothing specific to replace that structurelessness.

From The Daily Beast

When cool, replace the acid with water, and examine for hemin crystals with two-thirds and one-sixth objectives.

From Project Gutenberg

New and feverish desires for luxuries replace each older want as satisfied.

From Project Gutenberg

Extra howitzers will be most useful to replace pieces damaged by enemy batteries on the Asiatic side of the Dardanelles.

From Project Gutenberg

Another would replace him, and there is little to choose among the men that garrison Condillac.

From Project Gutenberg

The old servant now and again crept in on soundless feet to replace with a freshly heated bottle of sak the one grown cold.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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