diff --git a/packages/@aws-cdk/cloudformation-diff/lib/format.ts b/packages/@aws-cdk/cloudformation-diff/lib/format.ts
index c53265eac2a9e..e37703d0da059 100644
--- a/packages/@aws-cdk/cloudformation-diff/lib/format.ts
+++ b/packages/@aws-cdk/cloudformation-diff/lib/format.ts
@@ -186,7 +186,7 @@ class Formatter {
     case ResourceImpact.MAY_REPLACE:
       return colors.italic(colors.yellow('may be replaced'));
     case ResourceImpact.WILL_REPLACE:
-      return colors.italic(colors.bold(colors.yellow('replace')));
+      return colors.italic(colors.bold(colors.red('replace')));
     case ResourceImpact.WILL_DESTROY:
       return colors.italic(colors.bold(colors.red('destroy')));
     case ResourceImpact.WILL_ORPHAN: