substitutional
Acting in place
Substitutional describes something involving or characterized by substitution—the replacement of one thing with another.
The word appears most often in technical contexts: chemistry speaks of substitutional defects in crystal structures where one atom replaces another, and theology discusses substitutional atonement, the doctrine that Christ's death substituted for the punishment owed by humanity.
Temporary human placeholder
- surrogateOne acting for another
- vicariousExperienced through another
- deputyAuthorized substitute or assistant
- representativeOne who acts for another
agent · delegate · fill-in · understudy · locum · pinch-hitter · relief · acting
Stored duplicate for recovery
- fallbackAlternative if primary fails
- contingentConditional or representative group
- plan BAlternative when primary fails
- emergencySerious sudden danger
alternate · optional · secondary · auxiliary · ancillary · complementary · supplementary · additional
Identical reproduction made
- duplicateExact replica of original
- reproductionCopying or procreation
- facsimileExact reproduction of original
- imitationCopy of the original
clone · replica · simulacrum · counterfeit · knockoff · lookalike · double · match
Depicting recognizable subjects
- figurativeRepresenting through imagery
- metaphoricalSymbolic rather than literal
- allegoricalExpressing meaning through symbols
- emblematicServing as a symbol
token · nominal · ceremonial · ritual · vicarious · proxy · signifying · archetypal
Able to replace another
- swappableAble to be exchanged
- exchangeableAble to be traded
- replaceableAble to be exchanged
- switchableAble to be exchanged
convertible · modular · plug-in · drop-in · hot-swap · compatible · equivalent · fungible
Temporary substitute measure
- makeshiftTemporary, improvised substitute
- provisionalConditional and possibly temporary
- interimProvisional in-between phase
- temporaryLimited in duration
expedient · improvised · ad hoc · short-term · transitional · bridging · holding · patch
stand-in
Temporary human placeholder
- surrogateOne acting for another
- vicariousExperienced through another
- deputyAuthorized substitute or assistant
representative · agent · delegate · fill-in · understudy · locum · pinch-hitter · relief · acting · interim
backup
Stored duplicate for recovery
- fallbackAlternative if primary fails
- contingentConditional or representative group
- plan BAlternative when primary fails
emergency · alternate · optional · secondary · auxiliary · ancillary · complementary · supplementary · additional · extra
copy
Identical reproduction made
- duplicateExact replica of original
- reproductionCopying or procreation
- facsimileExact reproduction of original
imitation · clone · replica · simulacrum · counterfeit · knockoff · lookalike · double · match · equivalent
representational
Depicting recognizable subjects
- figurativeRepresenting through imagery
- metaphoricalSymbolic rather than literal
- allegoricalExpressing meaning through symbols
emblematic · token · nominal · ceremonial · ritual · vicarious · proxy · signifying · archetypal · abstract
interchangeable
Able to replace another
- swappableAble to be exchanged
- exchangeableAble to be traded
- replaceableAble to be exchanged
switchable · convertible · modular · plug-in · drop-in · hot-swap · compatible · equivalent · fungible · trade-in
stopgap
Temporary substitute measure
- makeshiftTemporary, improvised substitute
- provisionalConditional and possibly temporary
- interimProvisional in-between phase
temporary · expedient · improvised · ad hoc · short-term · transitional · bridging · holding · patch · workaround
substitutionalpermanent
Fixed without end
fixed · established · regular · stable · incumbent
substitutionalessential
Fundamentally necessary
irreplaceable · indispensable · integral · core · vital
- word substitutionExchanging terms in text
- import substitutionDomestic production over foreign goods
- substitution cipherEncoding by character replacement
- free substitutionsUnlimited player exchanges allowed