Synonyms of sub

sub 1 of 3

noun (1)

as in submarine

a large sandwich on a long split roll

we shared a tuna sub at lunch

Synonyms & Similar Words

• submarine
• hero
• torpedo
• grinder
• hoagie
• Italian sandwich
• po'boy
• Cuban sandwich

sub

2 of 3

noun (2)

ˈsəb 

as in substitute

a person or thing that takes the place of another

we had a sub in English today, so we didn't get our test results back

Synonyms & Similar Words

• substitute
• replacement
• backup
• surrogate
• assistant
• stand-in
• cover
• reserve
• relief
• proxy
• pinch hitter
• designated hitter
• fill-in
• locum tenens
• alternate
• deputy
• second
• delegate
• factor
• agent
• makeshift
• rep
• representative
• commissary
• apology
• attorney
• assignee
• successor
• stopgap
• procurator
• envoy
• understudy
• reliever
• superseder

sub

3 of 3

verb

as in to substitute

to serve as a replacement usually for a time only

the weekend anchor is subbing for the station's main anchor all this week

she subbed for middle school teachers in the district as needed

Synonyms & Similar Words

• substitute
• spell
• cover
• stand in
• take over
• fill in
• step in
• pinch-hit
• double (as)
• relieve
• understudy

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of sub

Noun

Within that category, certain sub-sectors will see even bigger employment gains, with solar electric power generation up 153% and wind electric power generation up 62%. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2026

The poll’s crosstab included much smaller sub-samples of voters, broken down by age, gender and location, and the statewide sample was just 250 Democrats. — Steve Bousquet, Sun Sentinel, 5 Sep. 2026

Verb

Receiver Pryce Demerson also made a big play with 19-yard TD reception from junior QB Jahzeel McCradic, who subbed in for Torres. — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 2026

Miami took control of the game from its first offensive drive and never looked back, subbing in the backups by the end of the third quarter and cruising to its first win of the season. — Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 5 Sep. 2026