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

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 Lanterns stars Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan, Earth’s one and only Green Lantern, and Aaron Pierre as John Stewart, his understudy and grudging trainee. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 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

At Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, its flagship, Anthem’s broad-network plan pays almost $100,000 for a major joint replacement, compared with $28,000 from Medicare.

— Bob Herman, STAT, 5 Oct. 2026
Two visions of Social Security Boccia’s argument was that Social Security has become an expensive wage-replacement system that sends its largest benefits to people most capable of providing for themselves.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of replacement

Noun

The Category 1 Georgian double was most likely built by Richard Capers back in 1745.

— Tori Latham, Robb Report, 6 Oct. 2026
The Braves expanded their lead in the seventh inning against hard-throwing right-hander Edgardo Henriquez, who gave up a single to Olson and an RBI double to Harris.

— Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of double

Verb

If that doesn’t happen, the district will have to substitute equivalent cuts elsewhere.

— Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026
Even a few tweaks on the experiment to substitute the heavy water for a layer of graphite would have failed, given the purity of the materials available.

— Mike McRae October 06, New Atlas, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of substitute

Noun

Shoppers describe the category as a stand-in for a seasonal mood, and the trend follows a clear seasonal pattern that peaks from April through August.

— Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Oct. 2026
That puts Meta and Instinct in a fast-moving race to turn AI assistants into something closer to digital stand-ins.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of stand-in

Verb

Kore-eda said the animation Fujino later makes stands in for a future the pair never got to share.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026
Great for the environment, which is the idea, but a selfish part of me longed to simply stand in a stream of warm water for a minute, without using any of my muscles—especially after five hours of hiking.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 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

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
The belvedere, the Terrace of Infinity, is crowned by a series of marble busts, and while the Amalfi Coast isn’t lacking in postcard-perfect viewpoints, this staggering spot rising nearly 1,200 feet above the Mediterranean is a scene-stealer.

— Lane Nieset, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Sep. 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 9 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of understudy

noun

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

inscrutable

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

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

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

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

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

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes