as in substituting
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
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of subbing
No pressure, just subbing for one of the world’s most famous women.
—
Sarah Hepola, Dallas Morning News, 18 Feb. 2026
Reibe, subbing in after Reed picked up his third foul less than 20 seconds into the second half, scored a pair as the Huskies came out of the break on an 8-2 run and pushed their lead to 14.
—Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 15 Feb. 2026
This sparkling cocktail is actually a riff on the Cosmopolitan, subbing out the Cointreau or Triple Sec in favor of Contratto Aperitif, an Italian liqueur similar to Campari.
—Chadner Navarro, Vogue, 10 Feb. 2026
The hearts subbing in for rings is a wonderful touch.
—Zack Pierce, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Most of his limited playing time for Boston has come in garbage time, but the Rutgers product made a surprise early-game appearance in last Friday’s double-overtime win over Brooklyn, subbing in midway through the first quarter.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 27 Jan. 2026
The only acceptable change from the original was subbing ice for water.
—Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 24 Jan. 2026
Garrett opted to stick with his lineup that had been playing well for most of the fourth quarter rather than subbing in fresh legs off the bench during San Clemente’s run.
—Michael Huntley, Oc Register, 22 Jan. 2026
Adelman ended up subbing out Nnaji after a 12-second stint of playing time.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 19 Jan. 2026
Sarah Hepola, Dallas Morning News, 18 Feb. 2026
Reibe, subbing in after Reed picked up his third foul less than 20 seconds into the second half, scored a pair as the Huskies came out of the break on an 8-2 run and pushed their lead to 14.
—Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 15 Feb. 2026
This sparkling cocktail is actually a riff on the Cosmopolitan, subbing out the Cointreau or Triple Sec in favor of Contratto Aperitif, an Italian liqueur similar to Campari.
—Chadner Navarro, Vogue, 10 Feb. 2026
The hearts subbing in for rings is a wonderful touch.
—Zack Pierce, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Most of his limited playing time for Boston has come in garbage time, but the Rutgers product made a surprise early-game appearance in last Friday’s double-overtime win over Brooklyn, subbing in midway through the first quarter.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 27 Jan. 2026
The only acceptable change from the original was subbing ice for water.
—Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 24 Jan. 2026
Garrett opted to stick with his lineup that had been playing well for most of the fourth quarter rather than subbing in fresh legs off the bench during San Clemente’s run.
—Michael Huntley, Oc Register, 22 Jan. 2026
Adelman ended up subbing out Nnaji after a 12-second stint of playing time.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 19 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subbing
substituting
Verb
-
These releases did not grant full freedom but rather are a precautionary measure substituting imprisonment.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
22 Feb. 2026
-
By substituting beef broth for vegetable broth this recipe is easily meatless.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Subbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subbing. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
