1. substitutes one person or thing for another, especially in a legal context where one party assumes the rights or claims of another
Usage: legal term; third person singular present tense

Examples

• The insurance company subrogates against the at-fault driver after paying the claim.
• When the bank pays off the mortgage, it subrogates to the homeowner’s rights.
• The law subrogates the surety to the creditor’s position after payment.
• The court subrogates the new trustee to all previous trustee powers.
• The contract subrogates the assignee to the original party’s claims.
• Federal law subrogates Medicare to the patient’s right to recover damages.