The best replacement for inheritance is composition.

The best alternatives to inheritance are rated as following:
★★★★★  composition
★★★  interface
★★★  gift
★★★  polymorphism
★★  estate tax
★★  delegation
★  aggregation
★  interface java
★  composition c++
★  subtyping
★  composition java
★  bequest
★  composition c#
★  estate taxes
  abstract class
  heritage
  polymorphism c++
  containment
  abstraction
  legacy
  composition ruby
  implementation
  extension
  subclass
  mendelian inheritance
  multiple inheritance
  heredity
  decorator pattern
  multiple alleles
  interfaces
  roles
  composition python
  incomplete dominance
  estate
  abstract
  classic inheritance
  gift tax

Your alternative for inheritance is not listed? Suggest!
Speaking about inheritance, one probably shouldn't forget about will.

Other search terms related to inheritance and their ratings are:
★★★★★ will
★★★★★ polymorphism
★★ generics java
delegation
You have in mind a companion for inheritance and it is not yet here? Propose!



Google Trends

Scale is based on the average worldwide traffic of inheritance in all years. Click on graph for more.
inheritance
composition
interface