Which word describes the act of taking the place of something or moving into its position?

The word "supplant" specifically refers to the act of taking the place of something else, often involving a situation where one thing replaces another in a position or role. In various contexts, it can imply not just substitution, but often an element of replacement that is more influential or dominant. For example, when new technologies supplant older ones, it indicates that the new technology has taken the role or function of the older one.

In contrast, the other options do not convey this meaning. "Precarious" relates to instability or uncertainty; "tender" refers to something gentle or the act of offering; and "sundry" denotes various or diverse items rather than substitution. Thus, "supplant" is the most accurate choice for the concept of displacing something or taking its place.