re|place

re|place «rih PLAYS», transitive verb, -placed, -plac|ing.

1. to fill or take the place of: »

He replaced his brother as captain. Candles have been replaced by electric lights.

2. to get another in place of: »

I will replace the cup I broke.

3. to put back; put in place again: »

Please replace the books on the shelf.

–re|place´a|ble, adjective.

–re|plac´er, noun.

Synonym Study 1 Replace, supersede, supplant mean to take the place of another. Replace means to fill as substitute or successor the place formerly held by another: »

When one of the players on the team was hurt, another replaced him.

Supersede, a formal word used chiefly of things, suggests causing what is replaced to be put aside as out-of-date or no longer useful: »

Buses have superseded streetcars.

Supplant, when used of a person, especially suggests forcing him out and taking over his place by scheming or treachery: »

The dictator supplanted the president.