understudy

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Davies has been playing the lead role, but was reportedly replaced by her understudy Hannah Lowther in Milton Keynes on Wednesday.

From BBC • Mar. 12, 2026

Simply going to the Games as an understudy to Chen’s leading role would have been valuable experience.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 14, 2026

He snatched provisional top spot in beautiful, sunny conditions, but could only watch with bated breath as his understudy took to the start hut.

From Barron's • Feb. 7, 2026

That was also when the Seahawks understood that Smith-Njigba was underutilized as Metcalf’s understudy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 5, 2026

Things get complicated when a pronoun, like any good understudy, takes on different guises, depending on the roles it plays in the sentence.

From "Woe Is I" by Patricia T. O'Conner