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
Meanwhile, a banana understudy has been taped to the wall. — Chop Choppish Shop, Air Mail, 13 June 2026 With no understudy in place, the show was canceled. — Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 30 May 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
  • Without Odobert, who was Kudus’ natural replacement on the right, or Kolo Muani, who filled in at that position for De Zerbi last term, there is no clear candidate to start at right wing should the Ghanaian not return in time for Brentford.
    — Elias Burke, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Some pieces of equipment, including several 800-ton chillers that help cool the building, are decades old and in need of replacement.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of replacement
Noun
  • Although Kent struck out Pete Crow-Armstrong in his first two at-bats, the center fielder bested the rookie in the fifth inning with a game-tying RBI double.
    — Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The Guardians scored twice in the first on a run-scoring double play and an RBI double by Martínez, but the Tigers tied it in the bottom half.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of double
Verb
  • Larson and his people were dismissive of Bronin’s campaign and seemed to think contempt could substitute for substance.
    — Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Alaves' Ángel Pérez was reprimanded by coach Quique Sánchez Flores after being substituted and punching the bench several times.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of substitute
Noun
  • No one knows the cautionary tale of Carter’s presidency more than our current president, who has repeatedly used it as a stand-in for presidential failure and American weakness.
    — S.E. Cupp, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Another finds his misery exacerbated by a Christmas spent shooting a war movie opposite its star Brad Pitt’s stand-in, in a rare evocation of how impersonal blockbuster filmmaking has become.
    — Judy Berman, Time, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of stand-in
Noun
  • The club hosts nationally known comedians and up-and-coming performers.
    — Adam Thompson, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Under the black cape, trash can helmet and ample body armor straight out of a low-budget sci-fi film, Binface’s alter-ego is Jon Harvey, a middle-aged comedian who has spent much of the campaign trying to keep his cool during a sweltering summer.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of comedian
Verb
  • The tradition took hold in 1963, when a young musician later known as Screaming Lord Sutch stood in a by-election.
    — Reagan Yip, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Lee said Alameda County and Oakland authorities shut down her lemonade stand in June and seized her equipment during an enforcement operation in Uptown Oakland.
    — Da Lin, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of stand in
Noun
  • Also on the five-man team are Kameron Nelson and pommel horse specialist Patrick Hoopes, with veteran Yul Moldauer the traveling alternate.
    — Nancy Armour, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The Men’s Senior Selection Committee (SSC) will name the six-man team (one alternate) at the conclusion of Saturday’s competition.
    — Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of alternate
Noun
  • 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
  • But the scene-stealer is Froseth’s hungry-eyed striver, a comic sexpot with her own Marilyn Monroe-esque daddy issues.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 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 18 Aug. 2026.

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