supplant
/səˈplɑːnt/ IELTSAcademic
verb
To replace someone or something, often by taking its place completely. It usually suggests a new person, thing, or idea pushing out the old one.
- New technology may supplant old machines.
- He was supplanted by a younger manager.
- Paper forms are being supplanted by online systems.
Adinary Nuance
Supplant is stronger and more formal than replace. It suggests the new thing does not just come in, but pushes the old one out. Writers often choose it in academic or serious contexts, especially for technology, ideas, or leadership.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- thay thế
- Spanish
- sustituir
- Chinese
- 取代
- Japanese
- 取って代わる
- Korean
- 대체하다
Etymology
Supplant comes from Old French supplanter and Latin supplantare, meaning "to trip up" or "throw down." The older idea of pushing someone off their place still shapes the modern meaning.
Common phrases
supplant the old systemsupplant a leaderbe supplanted bysupplant traditional methods
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is supplant formal or informal?
- It is fairly formal. You will see it more in writing, reports, and academic English than in daily speech.
- What is the difference between supplant and replace?
- Replace is general. Supplant means something new takes the old one out of its place, often completely.
- Can I use supplant for people?
- Yes. It is often used for people in jobs, leadership, or power positions.
- Is supplant common in IELTS writing?
- Yes, it can be useful in formal writing when you want a precise word for one thing taking another's place.