UNDERSTUDY Synonyms: 83 Similar and Opposite Words

understudy 1 of 2

noun

Definition of understudy

as in replacement

Related Words

Relevance

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

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

Noun

The fear of a $30,000 battery replacement was a major disincentive.

— James Morris, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
The company's window replacement quotes are often significantly more affordable than those from specialized competitors.

— Jason Rueger, USA Today, 29 July 2026

Definition of replacement

Verb

Their heated exchange on the field lasted more than two minutes, with Jones unhappy that Szoboszlai had given the captain’s armband to Tsimikas rather than him when the Hungary midfielder was substituted 13 minutes from time.

— James Pearce, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026
Consumer deception risk arises when companies claim AI can substitute for professional services without evidence, testing and boundaries.

— Muhamad Aly Rifai, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

Definition of substitute

Noun

SpongeBob is the obvious stand-in for Odysseus, while King Neptune fills the role of Poseidon, the vengeful god of the sea.

— Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 18 July 2026
Its main subject seems to be Tim’s malaise—and, perhaps, a broader contemporary malaise for which Tim’s is meant to be a stand-in.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 July 2026

Definition of stand-in

Noun

Margaret Moran Cho is an American comedian, actress, fashion designer, author, and singer-songwriter.

— Big Think, Big Think, 31 July 2026
His joke hints at the other purpose of the address, which is to examine the health of the ecosystem in which comedians seek their livelihood and hold it to a higher standard.

— Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 30 July 2026

Definition of comedian

Verb

Community outraged over shooting Over the past few days, a vigil was held to grieve the teenager before he was identified and protesters marched in the city’s downtown to stand in solidarity with Williams’ family and call for accountability.

— Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 30 July 2026
North End Zone fan experience The two-story structure takes the place of the old metal stands in the North End and seats approximately 1,600 in both field-level suites and loge boxes.

— Rachel Roberts, Idaho Statesman, 30 July 2026

Definition of stand in

Noun

Bringing those back as a third, as a nod to the Lightning’s first championship, would be a huge win and replace their most boring alternate yet.

— The Athletic NHL Staff, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026
The leagues are eight weeks, with different formats like head-to-head match play or the tag-team alternate shot each week.

— Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 25 July 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

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Understudy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/understudy. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of understudy

noun

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on understudy

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

colloquial

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Popular in Wordplay

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes