surrogate

Used or acting in place of another person or thing.

• She became a surrogate parent to the boy.
• They used a surrogate measure of success.
• The baby was carried by a surrogate mother.

Similar words: substitute, replacement

Common phrases: surrogate mother, surrogate parent, surrogate measure

A person or thing used in place of another.

• We used honey as a surrogate for sugar.
• The model acts as a surrogate for the real system.
• They needed a surrogate while the director was away.

How to use it: a surrogate for someone/something (The mixture served as a surrogate for butter.)

Similar words: substitute, replacement, stand-in

Common phrases: a surrogate for, use a surrogate

A person or animal that takes another’s place in caring for or guiding someone.

• His uncle became a father surrogate.
• The keeper acted as a surrogate for the baby monkey’s mother.
• A gentle dog served as a surrogate for the orphaned puppy’s mother.

How to use it: a surrogate for someone (Her aunt became a surrogate for her absent mother.)

Similar words: substitute parent, stand-in

Common phrases: a parental surrogate, a surrogate for

A person who speaks or campaigns on behalf of a presidential candidate.

• The candidate sent a surrogate to the debate.
• Her surrogates spoke at rallies across the state.
• A campaign surrogate defended his plan on television.

How to use it: a surrogate for someone (The senator campaigned as a surrogate for the candidate.)

Similar words: representative, spokesperson

Common phrases: a campaign surrogate, a surrogate for

A person authorized to approve marriage licences for a bishop.

• The surrogate approved their marriage licence.
• The bishop appointed a new surrogate.
• Couples applied to the surrogate for permission to marry.

Similar words: deputy

Common phrases: a bishop’s surrogate, appoint a surrogate

To put someone or something in another’s place, or appoint someone to take over.

• The council surrogated a new officer.
• They surrogated a deputy for the retiring judge.
• The committee surrogated another member in her place.

How to use it: surrogate someone/something for someone/something (The council surrogated a deputy for the absent official.)

Similar words: substitute, replace

Common phrases: surrogate someone, surrogate something for something