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

Like other lawn alternatives, carpetgrass is tough and hardy, forming a tight mat-like sub-layer. —Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 30 Apr. 2026

Helen Brown joined The Week as staff sub-editor in 2024. —Helen Brown, TheWeek, 30 Apr. 2026

Verb

French toast had a fun dose of sweetness with guava, and the huevos benedictos subbed out traditional English muffin for Cuban bread. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 May 2026

Towns picked up two fouls before the first quarter even reached the midway point, forcing Brown to sub in Robinson early to deal with Embiid. —Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 5 May 2026