understudy 1 of 2

noun

Definition of understudynext
1
as in replacement

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2
as in double

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Dissimilar Words

understudy

2 of 2

verb

as in to substitute

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of understudy
Noun
Jacob Rodriguez, a 2026 second-round pick, is viewed as the top understudy for an inside linebacker role, but Hafley did acknowledge there are packages where Brooks, Dodson and Rodriguez could be on the field at the same time. — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 29 July 2026 Berhalter, by extension, became the second understudy for Pulisic. — Filip Bondy, New York Daily News, 19 June 2026
Verb
O’Hara began her comedy career as a member of the legendary Second City in her native Toronto, understudying for eventual Saturday Night Live star Gilda Radner and helping to form the offshoot Second City Television (SCTV). — Emma Specter, Vogue, 30 Jan. 2026 In fact, metacognition is fundamental to human intelligence and, until recently, has been understudied in artificial intelligence systems. — Ricky J. Sethi, The Conversation, 26 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for understudy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for understudy
  1. replacement
  2. double
  3. substitute
  4. stand-in
  5. comedian
  6. stand in
  7. alternate
  8. scene-stealer
Noun
  • Sanctioning that deal was always dependent on Liverpool being able to recruit a suitable replacement for the Netherlands international at an acceptable price.
    — James Pearce, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
  • That began a career-threatening battle with back injuries that includes seven surgeries since 2014 — several microdiscectomies, a 2017 lumbar fusion and most recently a lumbar disc replacement performed in October 2025.
    — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of replacement
Noun
  • Ramirez had three doubles in becoming the 13th player with five extra-base hits in a game.
    — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Hernandez followed with his second double, this one to center against Royals left-hander Connor Thomas, to score Conine for a 7-6 Marlins lead.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of double
Verb
  • Second, board and management experience has to match the product the bank intends to underwrite, and general financial services expertise will not substitute for the specific asset class at issue.
    — AJ Dhaliwal, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Sayes is a Diamond Crystal salt user and has had vendors substitute it for a house brand.
    — Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of substitute
Noun
  • The next batter, pinch hitter Anthony Friese (a stand-in for Kevin Millar), hit one on the screws to right field.
    — Stephen J. Nesbitt, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
  • No one knows the cautionary tale of Carter’s presidency more than our current president, who has repeatedly used it as a stand-in for presidential failure and American weakness.
    — S.E. Cupp, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of stand-in
Noun
  • Grown-up Jokes • Paul Baker’s friends include Roach, who’s played by the comedian Will Sennett.
    — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Stand-up comedian Leanne Morgan stars as the titular character, while Johnston plays her brutally honest sister, Carol.
    — Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of comedian
Verb
  • Authorities said that 11 of those killed were foreigners, likely tourists who stand in long lines to board it.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026
  • One afternoon, a man wearing a purple kurta was standing in line outside the shop.
    — Akhil Sharma, New Yorker, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of stand in
Noun
  • Seeing red UConn revealed new red alternate uniforms this week that will be worn in at least one of the team’s seven home games this season.
    — Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Last year, Cleveland Browns rookie QB Shedeur Sanders was, statistically, one of the NFL’s worst quarterbacks over his seven starts, yet still made the Pro Bowl as the sixth alternate after several opt-outs.
    — Jonathan Jones, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of alternate
Noun
  • But no matter how good the golf – or any of the other activities at the resort, for that matter – the hotel itself will always be the scene-stealer.
    — Erik Matuszewski, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Najimy broke through as a big-screen scene-stealer in the early ’90s, particularly in Sister Act (1992) and Hocus Pocus (1993), before bringing that same comic energy to the hit sitcom Veronica’s Closet.
    — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 25 July 2026
Definition of scene-stealer

Browse Nearby Words

understudies
understudy
understudying
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Cite this Entry

“Understudy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/understudy. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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