The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word REPLACE
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
R
E
P
L
A
C
E
More clues leading to the result REPLACE
- Substitute mixed cereal’s eaten quietly
- Substitute crêpe filling with something dainty
- Supersede corded cloth with fine fabric
- Substitute materials
- Substitute one fabric with another
- Substitute fabric left with expert
- Restore two kinds of fabric
- Substitute corded cotton fabric with delicate one
- Substitute one type of material with another
- Change two fabrics
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Substitute" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case substitute = replace.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does REPLACE mean?
REPLACE verb- To restore to a former place, position, condition, etc.; to put back
- To refund; to repay; to pay back
- To supply or substitute an equivalent for
- To take over the position or role from.
- To take the place of; to be used instead of
- To demolish (a building) and build an updated form of that building in its place.
- To place again.
- To put in a new or different place.