supplant

Supplant is a transitive verb meaning to take the place of someone or something, often by substitution or displacement. It is commonly used to describe the replacement of an existing actor, system, or practice by a newer or superior one.

The word comes from Old French suplanter, from Latin supplāre, literally “to trip up” or “to overthrow,” a sense that underlies its modern figurative meaning to displace.

Usage and nuance: Supplant implies substitution achieved through effort, competition, or force, and it can be neutral in technical or business contexts or carry a negative connotation when replacement is accomplished by underhanded means or in a disruptive manner. It is broader than substitute, which often suggests a neutral or temporary replacement, and broader than replace, which is more general.

Examples: The new software supplants the legacy system. A dominant company may supplanted its rivals by offering superior features at lower cost. Critics argued that the policy would supplants traditional practices and values.

See also: related terms include replace, supersede, displace, and usurp. Antonyms include retain and keep. Supplant is commonly used in discussions of innovation, strategy, and political or organizational change, where ongoing replacement or overt overthrow is a central concern.