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

There’s always an owner who brings six Fantasy magazines, an owner who brings a large roast beef sub and an owner who doesn’t bring his entry fee. — Bill Reinhard, New York Daily News, 16 Aug. 2026

Tyrese Spicer, who has become something of a super sub, has scored in the last two MLS matches and has four goals on the season in MLS play. — Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Aug. 2026

Verb

In 2002, drum tech John Douglas subbed in for Beard when the drummer underwent an emergency appendectomy. — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 11 Aug. 2026

By the second round, a new set of male athletes had subbed in, but Kath and Marcy got to continue playing. — Literary Hub, 11 Aug. 2026