replace

replace — verb

1. to arrange for a different person or item to fill a position that someone or som

1.verbtransitiveB1
Definition

to arrange for a different person or item to fill a position that someone or something else previously occupied, often because the fresh choice is an improvement

Example

The school decided to replace printed textbooks with digital tablets.

replace + noun + with + noun (active pattern)

Liang will replace Noa as team captain next season.

replace + noun + as + role

Common collocations
  • replace with
  • replace by
  • replace as
Synonyms
  • substitute

    more general; can be temporary or one-time, while 'replace' often implies a permanent change

  • supersede

    more formal; suggests the new thing is officially considered better or more advanced

  • take over from

    informal phrasal verb; common when talking about jobs or duties

Antonyms
  • keep

    to continue using or having the same person or thing

  • retain

    more formal than 'keep'; to hold onto someone or something

Grammar Patterns

replace + noun + with + noun

replace + noun + by + noun (passive)

Usage Note

Common in both active voice ('replace X with Y') and passive voice ('X is replaced by Y'). The active form focuses on the person making the change; the passive focuses on the thing being removed.

Common Mistakes

The teacher substituted John with Mary.
The teacher replaced John with Mary.
'substitute A for B' means A takes B's place, so the prepositions differ: substitute A for B ≠ replace A with B.
I replaced my old phone for a new model.
I replaced my old phone with a new model.
after 'replace', the new item follows 'with', not 'for'.

2. to get or give a fresh version of something because the original item is too wor

2.verbtransitiveB1
Definition

to get or give a fresh version of something because the original item is too worn out or damaged to work properly

Example

The insurance company agreed to replace Hassan's stolen laptop.

replace + stolen/lost item (insurance context)

Ada needs to replace her running shoes because the soles are worn out.

Common collocations
  • replace a broken/lost/damaged/stolen item
  • replace an old appliance
  • replace worn-out parts
Synonyms
  • exchange

    often involves giving the old item back; more common in shops and returns

  • swap

    informal; often between two people giving each other items

  • renew

    suggests making something new again, often for subscriptions or licenses

Antonyms
  • repair

    to fix something rather than get a new one

  • keep

    to continue using the old item instead of replacing it

Grammar Patterns

replace + noun (object is old, broken, lost, or damaged)

Usage Note

The object is typically a physical item that was old, broken, lost, or no longer working. Unlike sense 1, this sense does not normally use 'with' or 'by' unless the new item is explicitly named.

Common Mistakes

I need to change my phone because it is old.
I need to replace my phone because it is old.
'Change' means to make different; 'replace' means to get a new one.

3. to return an object to the exact spot or container it came from

3.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to return an object to the exact spot or container it came from

Example

After checking the index, Élise replaced the dictionary on the library shelf.

replace + noun + on + location

Please replace the milk in the refrigerator after you finish using it.

replacement in kitchen context

Common collocations
  • replace the lid
  • replace the cover
  • replace in/on/into
Synonyms
  • return

    more general and common; can mean giving back or putting back

  • put back

    the everyday informal equivalent; much more frequent in spoken English

  • restore

    more formal; can mean returning something to a former state or position

Antonyms
  • remove

    to take something away from its position

  • take

    to pick something up and move it away

Grammar Patterns

replace + noun + in/on/into + noun (location)

Usage Note

Less common than senses 1 and 2, and sounds more formal or literary in English. In everyday speech, 'put back' is much more frequent for this meaning.

Word family

  • replacement
    nounB1
  • replaceable
    adjectiveB2
  • irreplaceable
    adjectiveC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

'Replace' (sense 1) means putting someone or something into a position that another held before, usually permanently because the new one is better or more suitable. 'Substitute' is more general: a substitute teacher fills in for one class, but does not permanently replace the regular teacher. 'Supersede' is formal and suggests the new thing is officially considered superior — a new law supersedes an old one. 'Take over from' is the informal phrasal verb used for jobs or tasks: 'Elena took over from Marco as project lead.' 'Swap' is very informal and implies a mutual exchange between two people: 'Let's swap seats.' Use 'replace' for permanent changes, 'substitute' for temporary ones, and 'supersede' in formal or official contexts.

substitutesupersedetake over fromswap ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

'Replace' comes from the prefix 're-' (meaning 'again' or 'back') combined with the Old French word 'placer' (meaning 'to put or place'). When it entered English in the late 1500s, it first carried the 'put back' meaning (today's sense 3). The meaning of 'take the place of' (sense 1) and 'provide a new one' (sense 2) developed later, over the 1600s and 1700s.