supplanter

[suh-plan-ter, -plahn‐]

noun

1. someone or something taking the place of another, as through force, scheming, strategy, or the like.

   The railways were extolled in art and literature on a scale of imagination and power which the steam train's unromantic supplanter, the automobile, wholly failed to inspire.

Word History and Origins

Origin of supplanter¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; supplant ( def. ) + -er ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

Jacob was a popular boy’s name in Old Testament times, and meant "the one who grasps," "the angler," "the deceiver" or "the supplanter."

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When the men join in, the music turns violent, with denunciations of the “supplanters.”

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The station was killed off by the proximity of Holborn, more popular because it was an interchange, and I'm pleased to see its supplanter at least has the grace to recognise its phantom existence.

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In making this transition from the boldness and persistence of self-confidence to the boldness of faith and humility, Jacob becomes Israel—the supplanter, being baffled by his conqueror, rises a Prince.

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Jacob the supplanter, Jacob the changeling, Jacob the baseborn!

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Related Words

• backup 
• replacement 
• stand-in 
• surrogate