What does supplant mean?
Supplant means to replace or displace something that was previously established. The word is especially common in formal contexts involving ideas, methods, products, institutions, or competitors. It suggests that the newcomer has taken the place of the former choice, often because it is more effective, attractive, influential, or widely adopted. For example, digital media have supplanted many traditional forms of communication, while a successful product can supplant an established rival. The word can imply that the change is unwelcome or disruptive, but it does not necessarily mean the replacement is objectively superior. Supplant comes from the Latin supplantare, formed from sub- and plantare, “to plant,” and originally conveyed the idea of placing one plant so that it takes the root of another.
verbTo replace or displace something, especially something that was previously established, valued, or expected. It often implies that the replacement is unwelcome or achieved through superior strength, influence, or competition.
- To replace or displace something previously established, valued, or expected.
- To take the place of another person or thing, especially because of greater strength, influence, popularity, or effectiveness.
"The new technology supplanted traditional methods of communication."
"The streaming service supplanted the need for physical music stores."
"Her novel supplanted the established account of the event and became the basis for the film."
To supplant a word means to put another word in its place: just as one plant can crowd out another, one idea can crowd out another.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does supplant come from?
The English word comes from Latin supplantare, formed from sub- and plantare, “to plant,” and originally conveyed the idea of planting one thing so that it takes the root of another. It entered English in the early 16th century in the sense of displacing or replacing. Its modern figurative sense developed from the idea of one person or thing taking the place of another.
Related word forms
How supplant is actually used
The word is formal and often carries a negative implication: replacing something does not necessarily mean the replacement is better, only that it has become dominant, more attractive, or more effective.
Easily confused with supplant
To supplant something is to replace it, whereas to supplement it is to add to or enhance it.
Supplant is a verb meaning to replace or displace something, while plant commonly refers to a growing plant or the act of putting something in the ground.