understudy 1 of 2

noun

Definition of understudynext
1
as in replacement

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2
as in double

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Dissimilar Words

understudy

2 of 2

verb

as in to substitute

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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 understudy
Noun
Fox arrived on the production at the eleventh hour after the production’s original Romeo, Richard Madden, and then his understudy were indisposed. — Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2026 Overture 41, by Annick Menardo at 41 percent and aged the same, returns to Overture Woman, the 2020 Harrods exclusive about an understudy pushed onstage in place of an ailing diva. — Ritu Upadhyay, Footwear News, 2 Sep. 2026
Verb
O’Hara began her comedy career as a member of the legendary Second City in her native Toronto, understudying for eventual Saturday Night Live star Gilda Radner and helping to form the offshoot Second City Television (SCTV). — Emma Specter, Vogue, 30 Jan. 2026 In fact, metacognition is fundamental to human intelligence and, until recently, has been understudied in artificial intelligence systems. — Ricky J. Sethi, The Conversation, 26 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for understudy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for understudy
  1. replacement
  2. double
  3. substitute
  4. stand-in
  5. comedian
  6. stand in
  7. alternate
  8. scene-stealer
Noun
  • That includes construction, improvement, maintenance, repair and replacement of streets and sidewalks, as well as drainage, sewers and other related infrastructure.
    — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 12 Oct. 2026
  • The infrastructure work to create the tunnel, including road and drainage replacement, life safety systems and adding the structural elements, does not allow for separate lane closures, according to project information.
    — Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of replacement
Noun
  • Padma Khanna and other doubles performed some of the dances instead of Kumari, which made the continuity puzzle harder.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Lefty Ian Seymour replaced him and Chase DeLauter lined an RBI double to the right-field corner.
    — Rob Maaddi, Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of double
Verb
  • Suarez scored his 14th and 15th goals before he was substituted off in the 61st minute.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 11 Oct. 2026
  • So might be Haaland, who asked to be substituted midway through the second half of Norway's final Nations League game, but that might have been because of fatigue.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of substitute
Noun
  • Another sequence required the art department to assemble a temporary green-screen stand-in because the full-scale set was occupied.
    — Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Los Angeles led the way as a stand-in for everything and everywhere.
    — Deputy Managing Editor, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of stand-in
Noun
  • The comedian’s become a regular on TikTok and Instagram scrolls for her character work — particularly impressions of her Italian father and German mother, the latter always in a black turtleneck, hair pulled back, glasses inexplicably atop her head.
    — Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2026
  • For years, posting clips online has been integral to comedians’ process of building an audience and selling tickets to their live shows.
    — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of comedian
Verb
  • But a host of hurdles stands in the way of widespread adoption.
    — Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026
  • But other winter squash like acorn or red kuri can stand in as desired.
    — Rebecca Firkser, Bon Appetit Magazine, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of stand in
Noun
  • Not a bad result for a guy who was originally voted out fourth on his first Survivor season and was an alternate on Survivor 50.
    — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Oct. 2026
  • But Reddington disagreed, and argued that the juror appears to have a personal issue that is hindering them from being able to deliberate fairly, and that the juror should be replaced with an alternate.
    — Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of alternate
Noun
  • There was enough uncertainty around the Best Actress race that pundits once mused whether The Odyssey’s Anne Hathaway might hath a way to run in lead, clearing a path for scene-stealer Samantha Morton in this category.
    — Nate Jones, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Although his role in the film was minor, Tillman’s performance was described as a scene-stealer and noted for being one of the movie’s most memorable supporting roles.
    — Laura Payne, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of scene-stealer

Browse Nearby Words

understudies
understudy
understudying
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Cite this Entry

“Understudy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/understudy. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

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