UNDERSTUDY Synonyms: 83 Similar and Opposite Words

understudy 1 of 2

noun

Definition of understudy

as in replacement

Related Words

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as in double

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

understudy

2 of 2

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

That means Martin Dubravka will be Kinsky’s understudy after leaving Burnley when his contract expired in June. — Jay Harris, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026 Jacob Rodriguez, a 2026 second-round pick, is viewed as the top understudy for an inside linebacker role, but Hafley did acknowledge there are packages where Brooks, Dodson and Rodriguez could be on the field at the same time. — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 29 July 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

Noun

Sanctioning that deal was always dependent on Liverpool being able to recruit a suitable replacement for the Netherlands international at an acceptable price.

— James Pearce, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
That began a career-threatening battle with back injuries that includes seven surgeries since 2014 — several microdiscectomies, a 2017 lumbar fusion and most recently a lumbar disc replacement performed in October 2025.

— Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of replacement

Noun

Ramirez had three doubles in becoming the 13th player with five extra-base hits in a game.

— Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Hernandez followed with his second double, this one to center against Royals left-hander Connor Thomas, to score Conine for a 7-6 Marlins lead.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of double

Verb

The 29-year-old was substituted in the second half of last Sunday’s 2-1 home defeat against Como and requires corrective surgery for a medical condition that Napoli have confirmed is a mild, benign arrhythmia.

— Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Writing in a raccoon, in turn, meant setting aside the time to both film with an actual raccoon — his name is Rocket, of course — and devise ways for the show to substitute a prop animal for scenes where the actors might directly interact with it.

— Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of substitute

Noun

Until then, Philadelphia National Bank will keep being used as a stand-in for the argument about consumer harm that the states cannot actually make.

— Shubha Ghosh, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026
The next batter, pinch hitter Anthony Friese (a stand-in for Kevin Millar), hit one on the screws to right field.

— Stephen J. Nesbitt, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of stand-in

Noun

While chatting about his new horror-comedy, Buddy, the 55-year-old actor-comedian also shared his first remarks about the upcoming sequel to the 1997 cult classic starring Lisa Kudrow and Mira Sorvino.

— Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 2 Sep. 2026
Seething at his dad for poking at his body insecurities, the comedian dealt with his emotions like any good millennial — by podcasting about it.

— Deputy Entertainment, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of comedian

Noun

Seeing red UConn revealed new red alternate uniforms this week that will be worn in at least one of the team’s seven home games this season.

— Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 27 Aug. 2026
Last year, Cleveland Browns rookie QB Shedeur Sanders was, statistically, one of the NFL’s worst quarterbacks over his seven starts, yet still made the Pro Bowl as the sixth alternate after several opt-outs.

— Jonathan Jones, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of alternate

Noun

But no matter how good the golf – or any of the other activities at the resort, for that matter – the hotel itself will always be the scene-stealer.

— Erik Matuszewski, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
Najimy broke through as a big-screen scene-stealer in the early ’90s, particularly in Sister Act (1992) and Hocus Pocus (1993), before bringing that same comic energy to the hit sitcom Veronica’s Closet.

— Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 25 July 2026

Definition of scene-stealer

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“Understudy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/understudy. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of understudy

noun

verb

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