The difference between Substitute and Swap

When used as nouns, substitute means a replacement or stand-in for something that achieves a similar result or purpose, whereas swap means an exchange of two comparable things.

When used as verbs, substitute means to use in place of something else, with the same function, whereas swap means to exchange or give (something) in an exchange (for something else).

check bellow for the other definitions of Substitute and Swap

  1. Substitute as a verb (transitive):

    To use in place of something else, with the same function.

    Examples:

    "I had no shallots so I substituted onion."

  2. Substitute as a verb (transitive):

    In the phrase "substitute X for Y", to use X in place of Y. With increasing frequency used in the semantically opposite sense (see [http://www.oed.com/view/Entry/193079?isAdvanced=false&result=3&rskey=zYLG08&#eid20118763 the OED's notes]).

    Examples:

    "I had to substitute new parts for the old ones."

  3. Substitute as a verb (transitive):

    In the phrase "substitute X with/by Y", to use Y in place of X; to replace X with Y

    Examples:

    "I had to substitute old parts with the new ones.'' (<small>This usage was formerly proscribed.</small>)"

  4. Substitute as a verb (transitive, sports):

    To remove (a player) from the field of play and bring on another in his place.

    Examples:

    "He was playing poorly and was substituted after twenty minutes"

  5. Substitute as a verb (intransitive):

    To serve as a replacement (for someone or something)

  1. Substitute as a noun:

    A replacement or stand-in for something that achieves a similar result or purpose.

  2. Substitute as a noun (sports):

    A player who is available to replace another if the need arises, and who may or may not actually do so.

  3. Substitute as a noun (historical):

    One who enlists for military service in the place of a conscript.

  1. Swap as a verb (transitive):

    To exchange or give (something) in an exchange (for something else).

    Examples:

    "synonyms exchange switch trade"

  2. Swap as a verb (transitive, obsolete):

    To hit, to strike.

  3. Swap as a verb (transitive, obsolete):

    To beat the air, or ply the wings, with a sweeping motion or noise; to flap.

  4. Swap as a verb (intransitive, obsolete):

    To descend or fall; to rush hastily or violently.

  1. Swap as a noun:

    An exchange of two comparable things.

    Examples:

    "quote-book lang=1819 w Sir Walter Scott w Tales of My Landlord section=The Bride of Lammermoor passage=I e’en changed it, as occasion served, with the skippers o’ Dutch luggers and French vessels, for gin and brandy... a gude swap too, between what cheereth the soul of man and that which dingeth it clean out of his body"

  2. Swap as a noun (finance):

    A financial derivative in which two parties agree to exchange one stream of cashflow against another stream.

  3. Swap as a noun (computing, informal, uncountable):

    Space available in a swap file for use as auxiliary memory.

    Examples:

    "How much swap do you need?"

  1. Swap as a noun (obsolete, UK, dialect):

    A blow; a stroke.

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