Supplanted

Supplanted is the past participle of the verb supplant, meaning to take the place of someone or something, often by outcompeting, displacing, or replacing it through superior alternatives or changing circumstances. The term can carry a neutral sense, as in a natural progression, or a more evaluative tone when implying an undermining or deliberate replacement.

Etymology: The word comes from Old French supplanter, from Latin supplāre, with roots in sub “under” and planta “sprout” or “plant.” The imagery suggests pushing something aside or tripping it up to make way for something newer.

Usage and context: Supplanting commonly appears in discussions of technology, culture, biology, and history. It denotes replacement that results from advantage, efficiency, or widespread adoption, rather than mere substitution alone. In ecology, an introduced species may supplants native species; in technology, a novel device may supplants an older model; in language and culture, a term or practice can be supplanted by another.

Examples: The horse-drawn carriage was supplanted by the automobile in the early 20th century. A regional dialect can be supplanted by a national language in education and media. In ecology, invasive plants may supplants native flora, reshaping ecosystems.

See also: replace, displace, supersede. Supplant contrasts with merely replacing by highlighting the process of overtaking or surpassing a predecessor, often implying a shift in prominence or dominance.