A vector compare-and-exchange operation is performed by: decoding by a decoder in a processing device, a single instruction specifying a vector compare-and-exchange operation for a plurality of data elements between a first storage location, a second storage location, and a third storage location; issuing the single instruction for execution by an execution unit in the processing device; and responsive to the execution of the single instruction, comparing data elements from the first storage location to corresponding data elements in the second storage location; and responsive to determining a match exists, replacing the data elements from the first storage location with corresponding data elements from the third storage location.