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

The commercial occupancy rate is 96% — easily the highest of any sub-market in San Francisco. —J.k. Dineen, San Francisco Chronicle, 11 Apr. 2026

Guruma is actually a new mobility technology sub-brand of the Chinese business conglomerate Fengxun. —New Atlas, 10 Apr. 2026

Verb

Wembanyama subbed out of the game shortly after the collision and immediately went into the tunnel leading to the locker room while keeping his arm pressed to his side. —Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 7 Apr. 2026

Giveaways plagued Denver to start the period and gave Seattle momentum, but Summit responded encouragingly, particularly after right back Ayo Oke subbed on in the 60th minute. —Braidon Nourse, Denver Post, 5 Apr. 2026