supplant

transitive verb sup·plant \sə-ˈplant\

: to take the place of (someone or something that is old or no longer used or accepted)

Full Definition of SUPPLANT

: to supersede (another) especially by force or treachery

a (1) obsolete : uproot (2) : to eradicate and supply a substitute for <efforts to supplant the vernacular>

b : to take the place of and serve as a substitute for especially by reason of superior excellence or power

— sup·plan·ta·tion \(ˌ)sə-ˌplan-ˈtā-shən\ noun

— sup·plant·er \sə-ˈplan-tər\ noun

See supplant defined for kids

Origin of SUPPLANT

Middle English, from Anglo-French supplanter, from Latin supplantare to trip up, cause to stumble, from sub- + planta sole of the foot — more at place

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to SUPPLANT

Synonyms: cut out, displace, displant, relieve, substitute, supersede, replace

Synonym Discussion of SUPPLANT

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>.