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.

The idea of having Foden as Kane's central striking understudy is now a non-starter after the experiment of using him as a false nine against Japan was cut short after less than an hour.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 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