i Register
In some senses, substitute is marked as historical. Watch for register when choosing this word.
ADJ
good | acceptable, adequate, satisfactory | close
poor
Frozen vegetables are a poor substitute for fresh ones, but they work in winter.
VERB + SUBSTITUTE
act as, serve as
During the pandemic, online classes served as a substitute for traditional classroom learning.
use sth as
produce, provide
The bakery provides a sugar substitute for customers who want to reduce their calorie intake.
PREP
~ for
Nothing can replace experience when you're learning to drive, so practice is a good substitute for classroom lessons.