Synonyms

replace

American

[ri-pleys] / rɪˈpleɪs /

verb (used with object)

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

Electricity has replaced gas in lighting.

Synonyms:

succeed
to provide a substitute or equivalent in the place of.

to replace a broken dish.
to restore; return; make good.

to replace a sum of money borrowed.

Synonyms:

repay, refund
to restore to a former or the proper place.

to replace the vase on the table.

replace British

/ rɪˈpleɪs /

verb

to take the place of; supersede

the manual worker is being replaced by the machine
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
to put back or return; restore to its rightful place

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Synonym Usage

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 Supersede implies that that which is replacing another is an improvement: The computer has superseded the typewriter.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

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Conjugated Forms

Present

Past

Future

Etymology

Origin of replace

First recorded in 1585–95; re- + place

Explanation

Is your pen not working? Maybe you need to replace it. To replace is to substitute one thing for another — in this case, to get a new pen and throw the old one away. When you see the word place in it, replace makes sense: replacing is putting something new in place of something old. We need to replace most things at some point: light bulbs burn out and batteries run out, while computers, cars, and socks wear out. When something stops working or is just worn out and old, it might be time to replace it. It's natural to worry that your boss might want to replace you — i.e., fire you and hire someone else. Some things in life cannot be replaced, like a winning lottery ticket or a friend.

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Vocabulary lists containing replace

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re-

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President Obama's second inaugural address

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In all, current plans for Venice Dell include 120 units , commercial space and parking garages to replace beach parking and provide spots for residents, all bisected by a canal.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2026

According to investigators, the thieves went to the libraries to consult rare and valuable works, photographing and measuring them, and returned later to replace them with virtually undetectable copies.

From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026

In her speech, Badenoch is expected to say: "We are going to scrap this duty altogether. We do not need to replace it. We need to explain to people that they should do their jobs."

From BBC • Jun. 8, 2026

Nippon Steel plans to invest $2 billion to $2.5 billion over three years to replace steel-rolling equipment at U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026

Toward the end of 2005, Cassano promoted Al Frost, then went looking for someone to replace him as the ambassador to Wall Street’s bond trading desks.

From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023