Supplanted
/səˈplæntɪd/
verbC2past tense
Definition
To supplant means to replace something or someone, usually by taking their position or role away. It often suggests that the new thing is stronger, better, or more powerful, and the old one is pushed out or removed.
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See It in Action
To take the place of something or someone, often by force or skill
- •The new technology supplanted the old machines in factories.
- •One company supplanted another as the market leader.
- •The tradition was supplanted by modern customs.
To push out or remove something that was there before
- •The invasive species supplanted the native plants in the area.
- •New ideas supplanted old beliefs over time.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "supplanted" like "replaced" (A2 word), but with a stronger feeling that the new thing took over by pushing the old one out
- ✓Picture a new plant growing and pushing out an older plant in a garden, taking its space and sunlight
- ✓It's the feeling when a new phone model comes out and the old one is no longer popular or used
- ✓Sounds like "SUP-planted" → imagine someone planting a new idea or thing on top of an old one to take its place
- ✓Think of stories where a new king takes the throne from the old king by force or cleverness—this is supplanting
- ✓NOT like "replace" (simple swap)—"supplant" often means the old thing is removed or pushed out, sometimes unfairly or strongly
- ✓NOT like "displace" (can be physical movement)—"supplant" usually means taking a role, position, or power from someone or something
Try Other Words
- •Replace: to put something new instead of the old (Use when the change is simple or neutral)
- •Displace: to move something from its usual place (Use when focusing on physical movement or removal)
- •Overthrow: to remove from power, often by force (Use when talking about people or governments)
- •Supersede: to take the place of something older or less useful (Use when something new is better and takes over)
Unboxing
- •Prefix: "sup-" meaning "under" or "from below," but here part of the whole word meaning "to take the place of"
- •Root: "plant" meaning to put or place something firmly
- •Etymology: From Latin "supplantare," meaning to trip up or overthrow by planting the foot against someone’s leg
- •Historical development: Originally meant to trip or overthrow someone, later came to mean replacing or taking the place of another
- •Modern usage: Used mostly in formal or literary language to describe strong or important replacement, often in ideas, roles, or power
Reflect & Connect
•Can you think of a time when something or someone supplanted another in your life or community? How did that feel?
•How is "supplant" different from just "replace" in the way it changes the original thing or person?
Fill in the blanks
1.The new software supplanted the old program because it was ___ and easier to use.
2.When one leader is supplanted, it often means they have been ___ or removed from power.
3.Unlike simple replacement, to be supplanted usually involves ___ or strong competition.
4.The old traditions were supplanted by new ___ that better fit modern life.
5.Companies that fail to innovate risk being ___ by more creative competitors.
6.The invasive plants quickly supplanted the native species, showing how fast they can ___ an environment.
7.Supplanted is often used to describe a situation where something ___ the original completely.