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
Nushrat Rahman, Freep.com, 6 Jan. 2026
Santa’s elves are subordinate Clauses.
—Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Dec. 2025
Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026
Analysts say the campaign is also a way for Xi, who is in his 14th year in power, to remove potential rivals and ensure absolute loyalty among his subordinates.
—ABC News, 7 Mar. 2026
John Schmidt, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026
Similarly, plans to subordinate the West Bank Border Police to Ben-Gvir’s Ministry of National Security threaten to dismantle the unified command structure that has been instrumental in managing tensions in the occupied West Bank since 1967.
—Arie Perliger, The Conversation, 12 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for subordinate
Adjective
The inspector general's investigation found that Reece and Ruff — who were supervisor and subordinate — did not disclose their romantic relationship, which is a violation of a city executive order.
—Nushrat Rahman, Freep.com, 6 Jan. 2026
Santa’s elves are subordinate Clauses.
—Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Dec. 2025
Noun
Nicole Mehringer lost her job after she was caught drunk in an unmarked police car with a male subordinate.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026
Analysts say the campaign is also a way for Xi, who is in his 14th year in power, to remove potential rivals and ensure absolute loyalty among his subordinates.
—ABC News, 7 Mar. 2026
Verb
Some of these transfers may run into conflicts with the existing police union contract; if that happens, Pallmeyer should not hesitate to use her power to subordinate those contractual provisions to the requirements of constitutional policing under the court decree.
—John Schmidt, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026
Similarly, plans to subordinate the West Bank Border Police to Ben-Gvir’s Ministry of National Security threaten to dismantle the unified command structure that has been instrumental in managing tensions in the occupied West Bank since 1967.
—Arie Perliger, The Conversation, 12 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for subordinate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subordinate
Adjective
-
Even lesser-scale incidents like the Varsity Blues college admissions scandal and the Volkswagen emissions scandal erode trust in the institutions that help make our society possible and push it forward.—
Lindsey Witmer Collins,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
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
Noun
-
Back then, Srinivas noted, a computer was the name for an astronomer’s apprentice; the underling tasked with doing the calculations to support the boss’ celestial theories.—
Alexei Oreskovic,
Fortune,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Shell looked to be on his way to a high-profile comeback after losing his job as NBCUniversal chief executive three years ago over an inappropriate relationship with an underling.—
Meg James,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act will subject nearly 55,000 Vermont Medicaid recipients to work requirements – about a third of the state's enrollees.—
Samantha Liss,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Is such an existential shriek into the abyss, all while living in a society suffused by mind-numbing grief and nationalism, worth subjecting yourself to?—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
To single out the biennial as uniquely compromised is less an ecological diagnosis than a deflection of a broader structural condition.—
Manuela Moscoso,
Artforum,
2 Apr. 2026
-
How Charlotte salaries compare to Mecklenburg County Many of Mecklenburg County’s top leaders make less than their counterparts with the city, data from the Observer’s database show.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Her older brother, Aiden, is a junior on South Elgin’s junior varsity baseball team.—
Rick Armstrong,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Apr. 2026
-
All four of Munoz’s children attended Park Hill schools, including her youngest son who is a junior at Park Hill South High School.—
Jenna Ebbers,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Jayhawks dominated inside, scoring 40 points in the paint.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
27 Mar. 2026
-
As a result, Cleveland dominated the third quarter 37-20 to erase Miami’s 21-point lead and enter the fourth quarter with the game tied at 83-83.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
That comes to the Philippines in the form of war, as well as through the invocation, or establishment, of American-style modes of government and education that place Filipinos along this racial hierarchy, identifying them as these inferiors that need to be taught how to govern themselves.—
Lisa Deaderick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Police attempted multiple nonlethal methods to subdue the man, including the use of a Taser and pepper spray, before one officer fired a gun.—
Nikiya Carrero,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Backed by his wife’s wealthy family, Coronado hoped to amass a fortune equal to that of Hernan Cortez, who had brutally subdued the Aztecs.—
Sandra Dallas,
Denver Post,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Subordinate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subordinate. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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