Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of noun understudy

1 sense of understudy

Sense 1
understudy, standby -- (an actor able to replace a regular performer when required)
       => actor, histrion, player, thespian, role player -- (a theatrical performer)

Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of verb understudy

1 sense of understudy

Sense 1
understudy, alternate -- (be an understudy or alternate for a role)
       => memorize, memorise, con, learn -- (commit to memory; learn by heart; "Have you memorized your lines for the play yet?")