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benchwarmer

noun

bench·​warm·​er ˈbench-ˌwȯr-mər How to pronounce benchwarmer (audio)
: a reserve player on an athletic team

Examples of benchwarmer in a Sentence

I played a little, but mostly I was a benchwarmer.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Ex high school benchwarmers are roaming the streets abducting mestizos. Rafael Perez, Oc Register, 30 Nov. 2025 The visiting Blazers were missing every guard but benchwarmers Caleb Love and Rayan Rupert. Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 22 Nov. 2025 He’s scored in double figures in three straight games after doing so just five times in his 93 appearances as a Timberwolves benchwarmer. Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 30 Oct. 2025 Last season’s benchwarmer Arda Guler became a regular starter, while 21-year-old forward Gonzalo Garcia made the XI ahead of Rodrygo and Brahim Diaz. Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for benchwarmer

Word History

First Known Use

1892, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of benchwarmer was in 1892

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Benchwarmer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/benchwarmer. Accessed 2 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

benchwarmer

noun
bench·​warm·​er ˈbench-ˌwȯr-mər How to pronounce benchwarmer (audio)
: a reserve player on a sports team
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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