supplanters
Those who displace
Supplanters are those who supplant—who take the place of another, typically through force, scheming, or superior positioning.
The word carries connotations of displacement and usurpation: The supplanters seized control while the rightful heirs were exiled.
A supplanter doesn't merely succeed someone; they push them aside.
Those seeking same goal
- adversariesThose who oppose you
- opponentsThose who compete against
- challengersThose who compete against
- contendersThose seeking to win
rivals · antagonists · enemies · nemeses · jealousy · enmity · hostility · animosity
Wrongful seizure perpetrators
- pretendersThose falsely claiming something
- interlopersUnwelcome meddlers in affairs
- impostorsThose falsely claiming identity
- claimantsThose asserting ownership
coup · dethrone · topple · depose · oust · unseat · overthrow · takeover
Those who follow after
- substitutesReplacements for originals
- surrogatesSubstitutes for others
- stand-insTemporary replacement people
- alternatesBackup people or rotates
fill-ins · proxies · heirs · inheritors · newcomers · understudies · backfill · second-string
Those seeking advancement
- climbersThose who scale heights
- striversPeople who work hard
- careeristsAdvancement-obsessed professionals
- opportunistsThose exploiting any advantage
upstarts · parvenus · arrivistes · advancement · ascent · dominance · influence · prestige
Sly, scheming cleverness
- intrigueSecret plotting or fascination
- subterfugeDeliberate deception to conceal
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
- deceptionIntentional misleading of others
guile · plotting · machination · stratagem · maneuvering · conspiracy · treachery · betrayal
competitors
Those seeking same goal
- adversariesThose who oppose you
- opponentsThose who compete against
- challengersThose who compete against
contenders · rivals · antagonists · enemies · nemeses · jealousy · enmity · hostility · animosity · vendetta
usurpers
Wrongful seizure perpetrators
- pretendersThose falsely claiming something
- interlopersUnwelcome meddlers in affairs
- impostorsThose falsely claiming identity
claimants · coup · dethrone · topple · depose · oust · unseat · overthrow · takeover · seizure
successors
Those who follow after
- substitutesReplacements for originals
- surrogatesSubstitutes for others
- stand-insTemporary replacement people
alternates · fill-ins · proxies · heirs · inheritors · newcomers · understudies · backfill · second-string · reserves
aspirants
Those seeking advancement
- climbersThose who scale heights
- striversPeople who work hard
- careeristsAdvancement-obsessed professionals
opportunists · upstarts · parvenus · arrivistes · advancement · ascent · dominance · influence · prestige · ruthlessness
cunning
Sly, scheming cleverness
- intrigueSecret plotting or fascination
- subterfugeDeliberate deception to conceal
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
deception · guile · plotting · machination · stratagem · maneuvering · conspiracy · treachery · betrayal · backstabbing
supplantersincumbents
Current holders of positions
predecessors · displaced · ousted · deposed · dethroned
supplanterspreservers
Things that maintain condition
maintainers · continuers · upholders · sustainers · conservators
supplantersrightful heirs
Persons legally due inheritance
incumbents · rightful owners · founders · originators · establishers