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
Stephen J. Thomas, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
Trump's recent rhetoric and aggressive tariff policies have revived concerns that his administration sees Canada as a subordinate economic partner rather than a sovereign ally.
—William Lambers, Newsweek, 10 Mar. 2025
Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2025
Washington wrote the letter in May 1777 in reply to a concerned subordinate, who had updated him about the dire state of affairs in Connecticut.
—Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Feb. 2025
Andrew Solender, Axios, 26 Feb. 2025
That suit, filed in federal court in Maryland, asks a judge to block Musk and any DOGE subordinates from continuing their budget-slashing work unless Musk is nominated by Trump for an official position and confirmed by the Senate.
—Mike Levine, ABC News, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for subordinate
Adjective
Depending on who Congress confirms to lead the U.S. Health and Human Services and its family of subordinate agencies, infectious diseases research could be significantly de-prioritized and under resourced in both money and human capital.
—Stephen J. Thomas, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
Trump's recent rhetoric and aggressive tariff policies have revived concerns that his administration sees Canada as a subordinate economic partner rather than a sovereign ally.
—William Lambers, Newsweek, 10 Mar. 2025
Noun
In April 2021, state prosecutors said, Teran sent court records related to roughly three dozen deputies to a subordinate to evaluate for possible inclusion in internal databases that prosecutors use to track officers accused of dishonesty and other misconduct.
—Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2025
Washington wrote the letter in May 1777 in reply to a concerned subordinate, who had updated him about the dire state of affairs in Connecticut.
—Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Feb. 2025
Verb
Passing the actual bill — which could include deep cuts to Medicaid — will require Republicans of all stripes to subordinate their personal goals for the overall ambitions of the party and their president.
—Andrew Solender, Axios, 26 Feb. 2025
That suit, filed in federal court in Maryland, asks a judge to block Musk and any DOGE subordinates from continuing their budget-slashing work unless Musk is nominated by Trump for an official position and confirmed by the Senate.
—Mike Levine, ABC News, 13 Feb. 2025
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
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The story of 2022 (and 2021 to a lesser extent) was energy.—
Nicole Goodkind,
CNN,
31 Jan. 2023
Noun
-
The new emails are also intended to allow supervisors to get a better understanding of underlings’ work and help align different agencies.—
Brady Knox,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
28 Feb. 2025
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May Be the Way to Stop Trump and Musk | Opinion A court could order Trump or an underling to appear for a contempt of court hearing, but an underling is more likely to show up.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
11 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Also, many states do not subject Social Security income to state tax.—
Ty Bernicke,
Forbes,
13 Mar. 2025
-
Also, the legislation would upend mail and online voter registration systems and mandate voter roll purges and could subject election workers to harsh criminal penalties simply for doing their job.—
Richard Boykin,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
At 485 horsepower, the Scat Packs are just about there, but lack some of the low-end torque and certainly less drama from supercharger whine.—
Michael Teo Van Runkle,
Forbes,
15 Mar. 2025
-
And now the Chiefs have less money to spend on those other spots.—
Sam McDowell,
Kansas City Star,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
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In 2022, Top Chef returned to Texas — Houston, specifically — for a serviceable season utterly dominated by Australian chef Buddha, who would also go on to dominate World All-Stars.—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
13 Mar. 2025
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Onto the Dolphins now, and a free agency period also dominated by a quarterback ... and another Jets reject.—
Greg Cote,
Miami Herald,
13 Mar. 2025
Noun
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There are 27 teams — men, women and juniors from eight years up — and 750 members.—
Daniel Taylor,
The Athletic,
14 Mar. 2025
-
Some projects could be funded with money already in the budget while others may require the district to seek federal, state or private grants, Naperville North junior Isabel Martinson told the board during the presentation.—
Michelle Mullins,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Medium-bodied this has excellent ripeness, very good acidity, subdued wood notes, medium-weight tannins and very good persistence.—
Tom Hyland,
Forbes,
20 Mar. 2025
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After an initial burst of optimism upon Trump’s election, growth now looks to be more subdued.—
Rob Wile,
NBC News,
19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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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
Cite this Entry
“Subordinate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subordinate. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.
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