What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
vicarious
Example
I experienced a vicarious thrill watching my friend bungee jump. [vicarious: adjective]
Example
She lived vicariously through her daughter's success in sports. [vicariously: adverb]
substitute
Example
I had to use a substitute ingredient since I was out of flour. [substitute: noun]
Example
He substituted for the regular goalkeeper during the game. [substituted: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Substitute is more commonly used than vicarious in everyday language. Substitute is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while vicarious is less common and often used in specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between vicarious and substitute?
Both vicarious and substitute can be used in formal and informal contexts, but vicarious may be considered more formal due to its less common usage and association with certain fields such as psychology or literature.
