Definition

1. Verb:
   • To take the place of (someone or something), especially through force, scheming, or innovation: To replace or supersede, often implying that the new entity is more powerful, advanced, or effective than the old one.

Usage and Examples

• Verb:
  • Digital photography has largely supplanted film photography. (Digital photography has taken the place of film photography.)
  • The new manager supplanted his predecessor after a boardroom coup. (The new manager took the position of his predecessor.)
  • In many regions, renewable energy sources are beginning to supplant fossil fuels. (Renewable energy sources are starting to replace fossil fuels.)

Advanced Usage

• "to supplant someone/something as [position/role]": To take over a specific role or title from another.
  • The young prodigy supplanted the veteran as the nation's top-ranked chess player.
• Used in formal or literary contexts: Often describes a significant, sometimes dramatic, replacement in systems, technologies, or hierarchies.
  • The old aristocracy was supplanted by a new class of wealthy merchants.

Variants and Related Words

• Supplanter (noun): A person or thing that supplants.
  • He was seen as a ruthless supplanter in the corporate world.
• Supplantation (noun): The act of supplanting. (This is a less common, more formal term.)

Synonyms

• Replace: To take the place of. (More neutral; "supplant" often carries a nuance of force or superiority.)
• Supersede: To cause to be set aside or replaced, especially by something superior or more modern.
• Oust: To force someone out of a position, often suddenly or dishonorably.
• Usurp: To take a position of power or importance illegally or by force. (Stronger, often implies illegitimacy.)

Antonyms

• Precede: To come before.
• Restore: To bring back an earlier system, person, or object.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "To supplant in someone's affections": To take the place of someone in another person's love or esteem.
  • The new puppy quickly supplanted the old cat in the children's affections.

Verb

1. take the place or move into the position of
   • Smith replaced Miller as CEO after Miller left
   • the computer has supplanted the slide rule
   • Mary replaced Susan as the team's captain and the highest-ranked player in the school