as in submarine
a large sandwich on a long split roll
we shared a tuna sub at lunch
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in substitute
a person or thing that takes the place of another
we had a sub in English today, so we didn't get our test results back
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in to substitute
to serve as a replacement usually for a time only
the weekend anchor is subbing for the station's main anchor all this week she subbed for middle school teachers in the district as needed
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 sub
Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 26 June 2025
That marked yet another 12% year-to-year decline for the bundle, which was riding high with 103.3 million subs 13 years ago.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 20 June 2025
Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 22 May 2025
The veteran midfielder recently returned to the pitch for Gotham, subbing on in the 74th minute in her team’s 2-1 loss to the Kansas City Current.
—Melanie Anzidei, New York Times, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for sub
Noun
In the original 1996 Happy Gilmore film, Adam Sandler’s title character learns to love the sub.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 26 June 2025
That marked yet another 12% year-to-year decline for the bundle, which was riding high with 103.3 million subs 13 years ago.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 20 June 2025
Verb
Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle subbed out Nesmith for just under three minutes before the torrid stretch, allowing the sharpshooter to return with fresh legs in the comeback attempt.
—Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 22 May 2025
The veteran midfielder recently returned to the pitch for Gotham, subbing on in the 74th minute in her team’s 2-1 loss to the Kansas City Current.
—Melanie Anzidei, New York Times, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for sub
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sub
substitute
Verb
-
This article is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
12 July 2025
-
The 24-year-old Brazilian attacker started against Al Hilal but was substituted and had just 27 minutes from the bench in the five following games.—
Dermot Corrigan,
New York Times,
11 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sub.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sub. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share