as in substitutes
a person or thing that fulfills the role of someone or something else
The children's aunt acted as a surrogate for their late mother.
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Recent Examples of surrogates
That played out over the weekend through celebrity surrogates.
—
Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 22 Apr. 2026
Olson went on to say that the Holy Father, like his predecessors, consistently condemns acts of terrorism, including those sanctioned by Iran and its surrogates in the Middle East.
—Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Apr. 2026
The Republican National Committee has largely avoided the war in talking points issued to surrogates over the last month.
—Steve Peoples, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
But the decision to start it was his alone, and no amount of spin from his surrogates should obscure this fact.
—Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 4 Mar. 2026
Surrogacy helps people from all backgrounds build a family, and experts in the field say that the myth that surrogates are exploited is not accurate.
—Kris Ann Valdez, Parents, 13 Feb. 2026
At least four more Mark surrogates have begun working with other agencies.
—Ava Kofman, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
Cuban was one of the most visible campaign surrogates, especially from the business world, traversing the country and promoting Harris’s economic proposals.
—Filip Timotija, The Hill, 13 Dec. 2024
The governor dispatched surrogates by helicopter to deliver news to some Democrats that their services were no longer needed.
—Christopher Cooper / Made By History, TIME, 11 Dec. 2024
Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 22 Apr. 2026
Olson went on to say that the Holy Father, like his predecessors, consistently condemns acts of terrorism, including those sanctioned by Iran and its surrogates in the Middle East.
—Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Apr. 2026
The Republican National Committee has largely avoided the war in talking points issued to surrogates over the last month.
—Steve Peoples, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
But the decision to start it was his alone, and no amount of spin from his surrogates should obscure this fact.
—Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 4 Mar. 2026
Surrogacy helps people from all backgrounds build a family, and experts in the field say that the myth that surrogates are exploited is not accurate.
—Kris Ann Valdez, Parents, 13 Feb. 2026
At least four more Mark surrogates have begun working with other agencies.
—Ava Kofman, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
Cuban was one of the most visible campaign surrogates, especially from the business world, traversing the country and promoting Harris’s economic proposals.
—Filip Timotija, The Hill, 13 Dec. 2024
The governor dispatched surrogates by helicopter to deliver news to some Democrats that their services were no longer needed.
—Christopher Cooper / Made By History, TIME, 11 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surrogates
Noun
-
Following the report, the teacher, who last worked for the district on April 2, was removed from the district’s list of available substitutes.—
Brittany Miller,
FOXNews.com,
24 Apr. 2026
-
One patient born without an olfactory bulb could smell because other parts of her brain remolded to serve as substitutes.—
Yasemin Saplakoglu,
Quanta Magazine,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The company has received 5,952 reports involving DC-DC converter replacements, but these have resulted in no accidents or injuries.—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
27 Apr. 2026
-
By addressing messes quickly and effectively, these types of products can help prevent stains, odors, and wear that often lead to deeper cleaning, repairs, or replacements.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Counter-terrorism officers are investigating whether the arson attacks were the work of Iranian proxies.—
Jill Lawless,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Public companies are reported to file proxies with the SEC laying out executive compensation in advance of annual meetings.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Surrogates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surrogates. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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