Are you about to overthrow someone’s leadership? If so, you could say you’re a ‘supplanter.’ This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.
Meaning
A ‘supplanter’ refers to a person that takes the place of another, usually in a position of power. It’s similar to the word ‘usurper’ but doesn’t always refer to usurping authority.
For instance, the new manager at work could be a supplanter, replacing the old manager. Or the new dog at home could be a supplanter, pulling attention away from your old dog.
Typically, a supplanter makes the change on purpose, which usually has a negative connotation. If you ‘supplant’ someone, you remove them forcibly or against their will, hence the negative sense of the term. You can consider yourself a supplanter if you take over a position of authority without concerning yourself with the impact of your actions on those around you.
Example Usage
"Did you hear that Dave got the manager job? He says he doesn't want to be a supplanter, and they should keep the old manager and send him to a new branch instead."
"Listen, you're the supplanter in this arrangement. Everything was fine before you came along, and now everything has gone to the maggots."
"She's a real supplanter. She knows how to get into a group and infiltrate its leadership. I think she has a slight sociopathic personality, and that's why she enjoys it."
"As a supplanter, you should realize that people are resistant to change, and things never go as planned. You must keep the situation dynamic and deal with it as it unfolds."
"The new governor is a supplanter. He set up the old governor to take the fall, and now he's moving in on his job. God help us if he gets sworn into office."
"The new king is a supplanter, and he doesn't hold the right to the throne. It's up to the people to incite a revolution and strip him from his seat of power."
Origin
The word ‘supplanter’ originates from the old French word ‘supplanter,’ which originates from the Latin word ‘supplantare,’ meaning to overthrow or trip up. The Latin version appeared in the 14th century, with the French version arriving in 1670.
Phrases Similar to Supplanter
- Usurper.
- Hostile takeover.
- Overthrow.
- Replace.
Phrases Opposite to Supplanter
- Collegue.
- Friend.
- Equal.
What is the Correct Saying?
- Supplanter.
Ways People May Say Supplanter Incorrectly
The term 'supplanter' has nothing to do with plants or planting. It's a way of saying something or someone took the spot of something else, sometimes via force, other times by decision. Using it to describe vegetation is incorrect.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase Supplanter
You can use the term 'supplanter' when referring to something that takes the place of something else. The expression suits social and professional use. You could use it at home to say how your new puppy is a supplanter, taking your kid's attention away from your old dog. Use it at work when describing how the new manager is a supplanter, removing the previous manager from their post.
A 'supplanter' is something that takes the place of something, must to the disappointment of the original. Typically, a 'supplanter' has a negative connotation. For instance, the new manager at work could have a bad attitude towards the staff. In some cases, a 'supplanter' may assume a hostile takeover to gain their new position ahead of the original.