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tr.v. re·placed, re·plac·ing, re·plac·es 1. a. To put back into a former position or place: replaced the sofa after vacuuming. b. To restore or return: replaced the money he had stolen. 2. To take the place of: Jets have largely replaced propeller planes. Nurse practitioners are replacing doctors in some clinics. 3. To fill the place of; provide a substitute for: replaced the team's coach; replaced the wall-to-wall carpeting with hardwood floors. See Usage Note at substitute. re·placea·ble adj. re·placer n. Synonyms: replace, supersede, supplant These verbs mean to put someone or something in the place of another. To replace is to be or to furnish an equivalent or substitute, especially for one that has been lost, depleted, worn out, or discharged: "We can learn to replace turbulent passions with peaceful emotions" (Margaret Visser). To supersede is to replace one person or thing by another held to be more valuable or useful, or less antiquated: "In our island the Latin appears never to have superseded the old Gaelic speech" (Thomas Macaulay). Supplant often suggests the use of intrigue or underhanded tactics to take another's place: "The rivaling poor Jones, and supplanting him in her affections, added another spur to his pursuit" (Henry Fielding). |
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