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 Supersede implies that that which is replacing another is an improvement: The computer has superseded the typewriter.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

The first was 2017’s Measure H, a quarter-cent sales tax now repealed and replaced by Measure A, which will generate twice the funds.

From Los Angeles Times

What effects will mass deportation have on the U.S. economy, what impact will it have on the cost of food and who will replace the millions of workers in industries like agriculture and construction?

From Los Angeles Times

The city’s proposal would make them permanent and go further to mandate every rent-stabilized unit demolished is replaced by an income-restricted affordable unit.

From Los Angeles Times

In April 2022, the German federal police, acting on information from their American colleagues, seized the servers hosting Hydra, replacing its banner with their logo and retrieving $25 million in Bitcoin.

From Salon

But staff sickness meant face-to-face sessions were replaced with phone calls and her condition deteriorated.

From BBC

Related Words

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