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
Robert O. Keohane, Foreign Affairs, 2 June 2025
This was by no means a subordinate form of identity.
—Matthew Karp, Harpers Magazine, 29 Apr. 2025
Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2025
His subordinates have fired career prosecutors at the Justice Department who played a role in investigating Mr. Trump or his supporters who rioted at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
—Jonathan Swan, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
Ian Bremmer, Foreign Affairs, 13 May 2025
Nationalism subordinates the working class to the profit interests of the capitalist class.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for subordinate
Adjective
The Soviets had to send troops into Budapest in 1956 and Prague in 1968 to keep the governments there subordinate to Moscow.
—Robert O. Keohane, Foreign Affairs, 2 June 2025
This was by no means a subordinate form of identity.
—Matthew Karp, Harpers Magazine, 29 Apr. 2025
Noun
Bea and Patience carry the show, while the rest of the ensemble is just sort of there, not really adding much, aside from Bea’s obnoxious and bigoted subordinate (played by Nathan Welsh) who is dismissive and sneering about Patience, both to her face and behind her back.
—Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2025
His subordinates have fired career prosecutors at the Justice Department who played a role in investigating Mr. Trump or his supporters who rioted at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
—Jonathan Swan, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
Verb
But for now, the capture is real, inverting the logic of the national champion model: where the state once directed technology firms to serve the public interest, policy is increasingly subordinated to the private objectives of technologists.
—Ian Bremmer, Foreign Affairs, 13 May 2025
Nationalism subordinates the working class to the profit interests of the capitalist class.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 May 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
-
The story of 2022 (and 2021 to a lesser extent) was energy.—
Nicole Goodkind,
CNN,
31 Jan. 2023
Noun
-
The role of Shell, ousted from his previous role running NBCUniversal after acknowledging an inappropriate relationship with an underling, has been controversial.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 July 2025
-
What have prosecutors said about Diddy? Prosecutor Christy Slavik started to sum up the government’s case against Diddy just after 10 a.m., describing him as a ruthless lawbreaker who used an iron fist — and a network of eager underlings — to meet his every demand.—
Victoria Bekiempis,
Vulture,
26 June 2025
Verb
-
Other top foreign suppliers of appliances to the US, including Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia, received letters from Trump subjecting their exports to the US to tariffs as high as 36% instead of the current 10%, as of next month.—
Elisabeth Buchwald,
CNN Money,
11 July 2025
-
In moving on from Tucker and not subjecting a rookie to a kicking competition with a potential Hall of Famer, the Ravens softened an already volatile situation.—
Jeff Zrebiec,
New York Times,
10 July 2025
Adjective
-
Plus, who doesn’t need one less thing to remember to pack?—
Genevieve Cepeda,
Travel + Leisure,
12 July 2025
-
What Vance predicted would happen in 18 months may have occurred in less than six.—
W. James Antle III,
The Washington Examiner,
12 July 2025
Verb
-
That part of the industry, once dominated by amateurs making funny viral videos with smartphones has blossomed into a formidable entertainment force, where video creators are setting up real businesses with large studios in Southern California funded through advertising by major brands.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
12 July 2025
-
Sure, the former No. 3 pick in the draft should dominate summer league action against players, the majority of which will either end up in the G League or overseas.—
Kelly Iko,
New York Times,
12 July 2025
Noun
-
Six years ago, Brady and his younger brother Trey (a 16-year-old junior on a loaded Corona team last season), first started tagging along to Dodger Stadium with their dad after the Dodgers hired him away from the Angels at the start of the 2019 season.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
12 July 2025
-
Prosecutors argued that Valle stabbed McGrath, a junior at Fairfield College Preparatory School, multiple times during a house party in Shelton, Conn., on May 14, 2022.—
Nicole Acosta,
People.com,
10 July 2025
Verb
-
Nimmo’s celebration upon hitting the grand slam was subdued.—
Will Sammon,
New York Times,
6 July 2025
-
This season blended bold designs, subdued silhouettes and interesting footwear to tell us one thing: menswear is slowly but surely becoming on-par with its female counterpart.—
Brett F. Braley-Palko,
Forbes.com,
4 July 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
Cite this Entry
“Subordinate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subordinate. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.
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