as in lesser
having not so great importance or rank as another
his contention is that environment plays a subordinate role to heredity in determining what we become
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in underling
one who is of lower rank and typically under the authority of another
subordinates do most of the actual creation of the famous designer's clothing designs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to subject
to bring under one's control by force of arms
it is one of the lessons of history that more powerful civilizations often subordinate weaker ones
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of subordinate
Josh Wood, The Courier-Journal, 20 Dec. 2024
The social critique was still in there but subordinate to these rich, comically flawed characters, each getting something like their own book.
—Adam Moss, Vulture, 25 Nov. 2024
Tara Copp and Lolita C. Baldor, Los Angeles Times, 15 Jan. 2025
Some subordinates stole away from family dinners and holiday gatherings to work, while Mr. Zuckerberg weighed in between trips to his homes in the San Francisco Bay Area and the island of Kauai.
—Mike Isaac, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2025
Heather Wishart-Smith, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2024
It can only be attained by subordinating the system, processes, tools, techniques, and frameworks to human values, mindsets, caring, feeling, and culture that firms can inspire energy, enthusiasm, creativity and innovativeness.
—Steve Denning, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for subordinate 
Adjective
Trager did not respond to questions from The Courier Journal about whether the mayor had watched videos of the pregnant woman receiving a citation or of Stewart's subordinate using force on the man at the downtown hotel.
—Josh Wood, The Courier-Journal, 20 Dec. 2024
The social critique was still in there but subordinate to these rich, comically flawed characters, each getting something like their own book.
—Adam Moss, Vulture, 25 Nov. 2024
Noun
That internal review, done by Austin’s subordinates, largely absolved anyone of wrongdoing for the secrecy surrounding his hospitalization.
—Tara Copp and Lolita C. Baldor, Los Angeles Times, 15 Jan. 2025
Some subordinates stole away from family dinners and holiday gatherings to work, while Mr. Zuckerberg weighed in between trips to his homes in the San Francisco Bay Area and the island of Kauai.
—Mike Isaac, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2025
Verb
Before him, producers wielded most of the power, relegating writers to subordinate roles.
—Heather Wishart-Smith, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2024
It can only be attained by subordinating the system, processes, tools, techniques, and frameworks to human values, mindsets, caring, feeling, and culture that firms can inspire energy, enthusiasm, creativity and innovativeness.
—Steve Denning, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for subordinate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subordinate
Adjective
-
Toronto’s Fred VanVleet appears to be the top target, but Miami’s Kyle Lowry, Utah’s Mike Conley and, perhaps to a lesser extent, Charlotte’s Terry Rozier have been linked to the team at various points.—
Staff Writer
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Feb. 2023
-
The story of 2022 (and 2021 to a lesser extent) was energy.—
Nicole Goodkind,
CNN,
31 Jan. 2023
Noun
-
This is not an image of himself as Kier Eagan, but of Kier in blackface to appease a useful Black underling.—
Alan Sepinwall,
Rolling Stone,
31 Jan. 2025
-
His Cabinet nominees, Wiles told her underlings, according to two sources familiar with the call, were chosen to deliver on that promise.—
Eric Cortellessa,
TIME,
20 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
The rule has subjected those assets to strict capital requirements, significantly raising the financial and regulatory risks of offering crypto custody services.—
MacKenzie Sigalos,
CNBC,
24 Jan. 2025
-
In a ruling that will ripple across digital media, the U.S. Supreme Court has upheld a law effectively subjecting TikTok to a national ban Sunday.—
Winston Cho,
The Hollywood Reporter,
17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
There could be 1 to 2 inches of snow on the Grapevine section of the Interstate 5, but there could be less or more, Kittell said.—
Rong-Gong Lin II,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Jan. 2025
-
In 2004, the misdemeanor case was dropped when Reubens pleaded guilty to a lesser charge.—
Stephanie Wenger,
People.com,
25 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
He doesn’t seem driven by demons or a need to dominate anyone.—
Vinson Cunningham,
The New Yorker,
25 Jan. 2025
-
The two stars have figured out how to complement each other, using their respective strengths to dominate opponents.—
Brian Sampson,
Forbes,
24 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Payne also had a couple weeks off as a junior because doctors went back in and removed several screws from the original surgery that gave him discomfort.—
Rick Armstrong,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Jan. 2025
-
Penn, who served as a team captain for Carroll as a junior, has tallied 2,740 all-purpose yards and 50 touchdowns in his high school career.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Yes, the festival felt subdued with less star power than years past.—
Mia Galuppo,
The Hollywood Reporter,
1 Feb. 2025
-
Nigh was subdued and taken into custody without further incident.—
Greg Norman,
Fox News,
29 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
And ultimately, the Supreme Court overruled those lower court rulings and did declare the embryos as children qualifying under the wrongful death statute.—
Dana Taylor,
USA TODAY,
1 Mar. 2024
-
Lower gas demand amid increasing supply has led to lower pump prices.—
Frank Witsil,
Detroit Free Press,
19 June 2023
Thesaurus Entries Near subordinate
Cite this Entry
“Subordinate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subordinate. Accessed 7 Feb. 2025.
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