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
Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 8 May 2026
Yet the book medium, which favors the expository side of Paglen’s practice, can make his artworks feel subordinate to his research.
—Louis Bury, ARTnews.com, 1 May 2026
Keith Phipps, Vulture, 13 May 2026
Over the years, Braunwald continued his work, his brusque manner occasionally rubbing his subordinates and colleagues the wrong way.
—Lawrence K. Altman, STAT, 7 May 2026
Tim Golden, ProPublica, 25 Feb. 2026
The brilliance of her artwork is many times subordinated to her biography.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for subordinate
Adjective
The researchers found that Ourry’s head was marked out in the artwork before it was properly painted, while Jersey’s head was not, suggesting that Jersey was not painted during a sitting, possibly because Jersey was regarded as subordinate, the trust said.
—Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 8 May 2026
Yet the book medium, which favors the expository side of Paglen’s practice, can make his artworks feel subordinate to his research.
—Louis Bury, ARTnews.com, 1 May 2026
Noun
Maybe Aziraphale’s hope of using him to bring about peace on Earth, the part of the plan his subordinates seem to find most objectionable, isn’t so misplaced after all.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 13 May 2026
Over the years, Braunwald continued his work, his brusque manner occasionally rubbing his subordinates and colleagues the wrong way.
—Lawrence K. Altman, STAT, 7 May 2026
Verb
The reorganization also gives the White House and the Department of Homeland Security new authority to oversee transnational crime investigations, subordinating the DEA and federal prosecutors, who were central to the previous system.
—Tim Golden, ProPublica, 25 Feb. 2026
The brilliance of her artwork is many times subordinated to her biography.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
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
-
The Canadian-Norwegian co-production for CBC and NRK follows a spoiled Norwegian factory heir from the 1800s, who forces a group of reluctant underlings to the American Wild West to gather material for his novel.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
26 May 2026
-
But the occupant of the Oval Office doesn’t want his underlings engaging in self-promotion and vindictive lawsuits.—
Robert B. Reich,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The group spent years subjecting the gastric juice to a special kind of screening process.—
Sara Talpos — Undark,
STAT,
1 June 2026
-
Over the course of four to six months per coil, the team will subject components to full operational electrical currents, which reach 68 kiloamperes (kA) for the toroidal field units and 48 kA for the poloidal field units.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
30 May 2026
Adjective
-
Several analysts argue that an open Strait of Hormuz, even one partly controlled by Iran, would inflict less damage on the global economy than one that is closed.—
Hanna Ziady,
CNN Money,
4 June 2026
-
He was convicted on two lesser counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.—
Tracy Wright,
FOXNews.com,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
The two have been starters for Arleta since their freshman season, with Vasquez Duran playing center field before moving to shortstop to join Sandoval in the infield as a junior.—
Ethan Hanson,
Daily News,
2 June 2026
-
At the end of Friday’s preliminary competition, Hernandez and five other high jump contenders sprawled on their stomachs beneath the high jump tent, cheering on West Ranch junior Avery Prestridge and La Jolla junior Anastasia Volkov in a jump-off for the final qualifying spot.—
Marisa Ingemi,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
The bolt-on deal trend According to PitchBook data, the vast majority of capital allocation is currently concentrated in strategic acquisitions and corporate add-ons rather than leveraged buyouts, with drug discovery dominating the deal flow.—
Elsa Ohlen,
CNBC,
4 June 2026
-
The Knicks, meanwhile, have dominated the playoffs by winning 11 games in a row.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
4 June 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
-
To even entertain a reality that absurd would require a faith in the American Dream blind enough to subdue the nightmare.—
Rodney Carmichael,
NPR,
3 June 2026
-
Viewers have already seen glimpses of the premiere, which involves Aang and Katara subduing a sea serpent while guiding refugees across a treacherous path.—
Entertainment Weekly,
Entertainment Weekly,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Subordinate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subordinate. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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