replace

verb

re·​place ri-ˈplās How to pronounce replace (audio)
replaced; replacing; replaces
Synonyms of replacenext

transitive verb

1
: to restore to a former place or position
replace cards in a file
2
: to take the place of especially as a substitute or successor
3
: to put something new in the place of
replace a worn carpet
replaceable
ri-ˈplā-sə-bəl How to pronounce replace (audio)
adjective
replacer noun

Synonyms

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Choose the Right Synonym for replace

replace, displace, supplant, supersede mean to put out of a usual or proper place or into the place of another.

replace implies a filling of a place once occupied by something lost, destroyed, or no longer usable or adequate.

replaced the broken window

displace implies an ousting or dislodging.

war had displaced thousands

supplant implies either a dispossessing or usurping of another's place, possessions, or privileges or an uprooting of something and its replacement with something else.

was abruptly supplanted in her affections by another

supersede implies replacing a person or thing that has become superannuated, obsolete, or otherwise inferior.

the new edition supersedes all previous ones

Examples of replace in a Sentence

Will computers ever completely replace books? Paper bags have been largely replaced by plastic bags. She was hired to replace the previous manager. I replaced the old rug with a new one.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In a 2022 article in Daedalus, Erik Brynjolfsson argued that today’s key challenge is steering A.I. development toward augmenting the efforts of human workers rather than replacing them. — John Cassidy, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025 After four races, the reigning world champion accounts for all but two of Red Bull’s 71 points, with Yuki Tsunoda, who replaced Liam Lawson after the Chinese Grand Prix, scoring the other two on Sunday. — Dan Cancian, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025 The Tab also supports Dual Hot-Swap battery functionality, allowing users to replace batteries without powering down their devices. — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 14 Apr. 2025 The best recent example may be Adin Hill, who replaced Laurent Brossoit early in the second round of the 2023 playoffs and led the Vegas Golden Knights to the Stanley Cup. — Jonas Siegel, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for replace

Word History

First Known Use

1587, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of replace was in 1587

Rhymes for replace

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Browse Nearby Words

repla
replace
replaceability
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Replace.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/replace. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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Kids Definition

replace

verb
re·​place ri-ˈplās How to pronounce replace (audio)
1
: to put back in a proper or former place
replace a card in a file
2
: to take the place of
paper money has replaced gold coins
3
: to put something new in the place of
replace a broken dish
replaceable
-ˈplā-sə-bəl How to pronounce replace (audio)
adjective

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Nglish: Translation of replace for Spanish Speakers

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