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
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Recent Examples of subbing
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
Nevada either didn’t recognize it or did and opted not to counter by subbing in a forward of its own, keeping its small lineup on the floor.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
Boston made just one fourth-quarter sub before garbage time, subbing Brown in for Neemias Queta after building a 115-102 lead with six minutes remaining.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 20 Dec. 2025
Making healthy swaps where possible (subbing a baked potato for French fries is one good example).
—Sarah Garone, Health, 8 Dec. 2025
Maybe that’s why companies like RadAI, which focus on unburdening the physician’s workflow rather than subbing in for their expertise, have been so successful.
—Alexis Kayser, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2025
Yeboah returned against the Galaxy, subbing on for the final 13 minutes.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 26 Oct. 2025
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
Nevada either didn’t recognize it or did and opted not to counter by subbing in a forward of its own, keeping its small lineup on the floor.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
Boston made just one fourth-quarter sub before garbage time, subbing Brown in for Neemias Queta after building a 115-102 lead with six minutes remaining.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 20 Dec. 2025
Making healthy swaps where possible (subbing a baked potato for French fries is one good example).
—Sarah Garone, Health, 8 Dec. 2025
Maybe that’s why companies like RadAI, which focus on unburdening the physician’s workflow rather than subbing in for their expertise, have been so successful.
—Alexis Kayser, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2025
Yeboah returned against the Galaxy, subbing on for the final 13 minutes.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 26 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subbing
substituting
Verb
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Williams was the only starter to play more than 25 minutes as the Aztecs began substituting liberally after just 11 minutes, jumping out to a 32-12 lead thanks to an 18-0 run.—
Bill Center,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Jan. 2026
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Many online have gone on to add fresh fruits and honey to their creations, as well as substituting Biscoff cookies for other options like graham crackers, cookies and even Oreos.—
Tabitha Parent,
PEOPLE,
21 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Subbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subbing. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
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