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
• hoagie
• poor boy
• grinder
• hoagy
• 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

Since the implosion, the sub’s fate has been held up by some as an example of the dangers of hubris and greed. —Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 23 May 2025

Beloved veterans Hodge and Sharp bring a bottomless well of warmth and affection to Pete and Peggy, and casting glam/nu disco star Shears as a seasoned sub was an inspired choice. —David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 18 May 2025

Verb

And before the start of the second half, the club subbed off Temwa Chawinga — for what Andonovski described as an abundance of caution — and brought on Debinha. —Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 27 Apr. 2025

Even worse, the only salmon for sale with the butcher counter closed is a $50 whole side of salmon—leaving me to sub in some pretty inexpensive pork chops instead, five chops for a mere $5. —Matthew Korfhage, Wired News, 18 May 2025