Supplant: meaning, definitions and examples
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supplant
[səˈplɑːnt ]
Definition
replace
Supplant means to take the place of (someone or something) through force, scheming, strategy, or the like. It involves displacing or replacing something or someone in a position of power or influence.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| supplant |
Use 'supplant' when one thing takes the place of another through strategies, growth, or changes, often implying a sense of competition or takeover.
|
| replace |
Use 'replace' when one thing is directly substituted for another, often without any competitive connotations.
|
| displace |
Use 'displace' when something or someone is moved out of its usual or original place, often by force, or due to external changes.
|
| usurp |
Use 'usurp' when taking a position of power or importance illegally or by force, often suggesting negative connotations.
|
Examples of usage
- Rising to power, the dictator sought to supplant the existing government.
- The new technology threatens to supplant traditional methods of production.
Interesting Facts
Etymology
- The word 'supplant' comes from the Latin 'supplantare', meaning 'to trip up or overthrow'.
- The prefix 'sup-' means 'from below', while 'plantare' means 'to plant', suggesting the idea of uprooting.
- The term has been used in English since the 14th century, originally indicating physical displacement.
Literature
- In Shakespeare's plays, characters often supplant each other to gain power, reflecting the treacherous nature of ambition.
- Dystopian novels frequently explore themes of supplantation, where old societal structures are replaced by new, often oppressive regimes.
- In '1984' by George Orwell, the Party supplants the truth, illustrating how powerful entities can rewrite history.
History
- Throughout history, colonization often involved the supplanting of indigenous cultures by foreign powers.
- The agricultural revolution saw new farming techniques supplant older methods, dramatically changing human societies.
- In technological contexts, newer inventions frequently supplant older technologies, like how digital cameras have overtaken film cameras.
Science
- In ecology, invasive species often supplant native species, disrupting local ecosystems.
- Genetic engineering can lead to one variety of a crop supplanting another for higher yield or disease resistance.
- In evolutionary biology, new species can supplant older ones through natural selection and adaptation.
Pop Culture
- In recent years, streaming platforms have begun to supplant traditional cable TV as the primary source of entertainment for many viewers.
- The rise of smartphones has supplant many daily items, like cameras and alarm clocks, becoming multifunctional devices.
- In the gaming world, new consoles and technologies often supplant earlier generations, driving the market forward.
Translations
Translations of the word "supplant" in other languages:
🇵🇹 suplantar
🇮🇳 प्रतिस्थापित करना
🇩🇪 verdrängen
🇮🇩 menggantikan
🇺🇦 витісняти
🇵🇱 zastąpić
🇯🇵 取って代わる (とってかわる)
🇫🇷 supplanter
🇪🇸 suplantar
🇹🇷 yerini almak
🇰🇷 대체하다
🇸🇦 يحل محل
🇨🇿 nahradit
🇸🇰 nahradiť
🇨🇳 取代 (qǔdài)
🇸🇮 nadomestiti
🇮🇸 koma í stað
🇰🇿 алмастыру
🇬🇪 ჩანაცვლება
🇦🇿 əvəz etmək
🇲🇽 suplantar