un·der·study
ˈən-dər-ˌstə-dē 
ˌən-dər-ˈstə-
understudied; understudying; understudies
: to study another actor's part in order to substitute in an emergency
: to prepare (a part or character) as understudy
also
: to prepare as understudy to (an actor)
un·der·study
ˈən-dər-ˌstə-dē
: one who is prepared to act another's part or take over another's duties
Examples of understudy in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Bethy Squires, Vulture, 28 Mar. 2026
This production also includes a swing performer, Jimmy Donohue, who has understudied both roles and is performing at some of the morning shows or when Davenport or Wascavage are indisposed.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 2 Feb. 2026
Rebecca Aizin, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
If Pittsburgh wants an understudy for Konnor Griffin, the Yankees will give them Dax Kilby.
—Tyler Erzberger, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for understudy
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Verb
Tolkan’s first gigs were in TV and on Broadway — appearing in an episode of Naked City and understudying for Robert Duvall in the original Broadway production of Wait Until Dark.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 28 Mar. 2026
This production also includes a swing performer, Jimmy Donohue, who has understudied both roles and is performing at some of the morning shows or when Davenport or Wascavage are indisposed.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 2 Feb. 2026
Noun
Bernthal may have started as Moss-Bachrach's unknown understudy, but now, the playing fields are level — and it's certainly not lost on either star that reaching such a milestone in one's career with one of their closest friends is something to be treasured.
—Rebecca Aizin, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
If Pittsburgh wants an understudy for Konnor Griffin, the Yankees will give them Dax Kilby.
—Tyler Erzberger, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for understudy
Cite this Entry
“Understudy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/understudy. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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