Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Showing results for replace. Search instead for preplace.
Synonyms

replace

American  
[ri-pleys] / rɪˈpleɪs /

verb (used with object)

replaced, replacing
  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 British  
/ 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

"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

Related Words

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 Supersede implies that that which is replacing another is an improvement: The computer has superseded the typewriter.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

  • nonreplaceable adjective
  • quasi-replaced adjective
  • replaceability noun
  • replaceable adjective
  • replacer noun
  • unreplaceable adjective
  • unreplaced adjective
  • well-replaced adjective

Etymology

Origin of replace

First recorded in 1585–95; re- + place

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.

The Scotland international came off the bench to replace Milos Kerkez at half-time in Saturday's defeat at Bournemouth but he has started just four times in the Premier League this season.

From BBC

The cost of replacing current U.S. military equipment and personnel in Europe would be around $1 trillion, according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies think tank.

From The Wall Street Journal

She estimates that replacing everything, including underwear, probably cost her "a couple of thousand pounds".

From BBC

But the building seemed to offer new standards of care and comfort - in contrast with the drab corridors of several Victorian-era facilities it was replacing.

From BBC

This would allow them to replace older models without altering existing service connections, costing around £35,000.

From BBC