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as in to replace
to take the place of inefficient methods displaced by newer ones

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word displace distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of displace are replace, supersede, and supplant. While all these words mean "to put out of a usual or proper place or into the place of another," displace implies an ousting or dislodging.

war had displaced thousands

When can replace be used instead of displace?

The synonyms replace and displace are sometimes interchangeable, but replace implies a filling of a place once occupied by something lost, destroyed, or no longer usable or adequate.

replaced the broken window

When is supersede a more appropriate choice than displace?

In some situations, the words supersede and displace are roughly equivalent. However, supersede implies replacing a person or thing that has become superannuated, obsolete, or otherwise inferior.

the new edition supersedes all previous ones

In what contexts can supplant take the place of displace?

While the synonyms supplant and displace are close in meaning, 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

Examples Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of displace The launches show the ability of Palestinian militant groups to fire rockets into Israel despite more than 13 months of an aerial and ground offensive that turned vast land in the enclave into wasteland and displaced most of the 2.3 million population. Reuters, USA TODAY, 18 Nov. 2024 India has emerged as a significant global power, displacing the United Kingdom in 2022 as the world’s fifth-largest economy. Leslie Vinjamuri, Foreign Affairs, 15 Nov. 2024 The filing also details a Memorandum of Agreement with the State of Hawai‘i Department of Transportation to lease land for temporary housing for individuals displaced by the Maui wildfires. Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024 The Smithville Recreation Center at 106 Royston St. opened Sunday evening for residents displaced by the wildfire. Bianca Moreno-Paz, Austin American-Statesman, 4 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for displace 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for displace
Verb
  • Next week: Mesa Ridge at Montrose, TBA No. 3 Pueblo West beat No. 19 Golden, 49-7: Two weeks removed from their first loss of the season, the Cyclones ended a streak of three straight Round of 16 exits with a rout of Golden.
    Matt Schubert, The Denver Post, 17 Nov. 2024
  • If the credit is removed, the EV transition will likely be hit hard, as prices on numerous models will effectively increase.
    William Gavin, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Perhaps nothing better illustrated the Bruins’ offseason makeover than the mainstay from a year ago being relegated to a bit player as part of this new ensemble cast.
    Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024
  • Rounding out the Top 5 was Bob’s Burgers, relegating Bluey to sixth place.
    Katie Campione, Deadline, 25 Oct. 2024
Verb
  • The Seahawks’ linebacker corps has undergone a radical, in-season makeover, with last month’s trade for Ernest Brown IV and Tuesday’s release of leading tackler Tyrel Dodson, who’ll be replaced by rookie Tyrice Knight.
    Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024
  • The filing also details a new line of credit from Cathay Bank for $15 million, replacing a previous line from Midfirst Bank.
    Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • After being deposed by Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga last season, Bayern will be itching to let Olise loose.
    Phil Hay, The Athletic, 6 Aug. 2024
  • The story of that secret anti-Maduro effort also lays bare the tensions between an administration with hardliners laser-focused on deposing the Venezuelan autocrat and a CIA deeply reluctant, yet nevertheless obligated, to follow White House orders.
    Zach Dorfman, WIRED, 31 Oct. 2024
Verb
  • After a delightful twist that saw our favourite hapless expat relocate to Rome, Netflix has confirmed that Darren Star’s frothy romp will be back for a fifth outing.
    Radhika Seth, Vogue, 21 Nov. 2024
  • Stephanie Joyce: Not long into her travels, Claire got a message from an old roommate who had since relocated to Joshua Tree.
    Outside Online, Outside Online, 6 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Tribal leaders had banished Chasing Horse in 2015 from the reservation amid allegations of human trafficking.
    CBS News, CBS News, 31 Oct. 2024
  • Those found guilty of habitual funny cowboy dancing are either executed or banished to the Desolate Zone, where they are forced to get jobs and raise families.
    Jack Handey, The New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2024
Verb
  • Zoom in: Illinois lawmakers have been working to cement the state's already strong laws to ensure that potential federal bans by the incoming administration can't supersede them, the Sun-Times reported.
    Carrie Shepherd, Axios, 20 Nov. 2024
  • Composers were considered craftsmen in an evanescent art, their creations regularly superseded by fresher work.
    Jan Swafford, The Atlantic, 29 Oct. 2024
Verb
  • One Direction toppled chart records that had stood since The Beatles’ legendary run in the 1960s, and inspired the revival of the boyband in popular culture.
    Rob Picheta, CNN, 20 Nov. 2024
  • Bonus points for unique villains (including the deaf-mute Hammer Girl and baseball-wielding brother) and high stakes that play out like a Jenga tower always on the verge of toppling over.
    David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 19 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near displace

Cite this Entry

“Displace.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/displace. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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