French Conversation · Level 73
60 words
French word
supplanter
Pronunciation
IPA/syplɑ̃te/
Meaning
- verbreplace
Example
Le nouveau modèle a supplanté l'ancien.
The new model replaced the old one.
More examples
Il craint d'être supplanté par un collègue plus jeune.
He fears being displaced by a younger colleague.
Core concept
A newer rival moves into the position held by an older one, leaving the older one displaced.
Common phrases
supplanter quelqu'un
displace someone
supplanter un collègue
displace a colleague
Similar words
remplacer: Become used instead of something else.
prendre la place de: Take over another thing's position or role.
succéder à: Follow and continue after a person or thing.
évincer: Force someone out of a position or role through power or strategy.
Definition in French
Remplacer quelqu'un ou quelque chose en prenant sa place, souvent par concurrence ou innovation.
Word origin
Supplanter comes from Latin supplantare, meaning to trip someone by the foot, from sub and planta, "sole of the foot"; French extended this to displacing a rival.
Usage tips
- Supplanter is more formal and more common in writing than everyday remplacer or prendre la place de.