as in subordinate
one who is of lower rank and typically under the authority of another
the real estate tycoon has a whole army of underlings to attend to the details
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of underling
The 18-month program was like a scene out of The Bear, with abusive head chefs berating their underlings.
—
John Hyatt, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025
Everyone, apart from underlings such as housekeeper Mary (Jackie Clune), are dressed immaculately enough to grace the cover of pre-war Vogue.
—Jon O'Brien, IndieWire, 16 Apr. 2025
Forces deployed on the night of martial law But the generals — and especially their underlings — were not as committed to Mr. Yoon’s takeover.
—Choe Sang-Hun, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2025
Surely that high-risk role would better be performed by an underling and not the leader of the rebels.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for underling
John Hyatt, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025
Everyone, apart from underlings such as housekeeper Mary (Jackie Clune), are dressed immaculately enough to grace the cover of pre-war Vogue.
—Jon O'Brien, IndieWire, 16 Apr. 2025
Forces deployed on the night of martial law But the generals — and especially their underlings — were not as committed to Mr. Yoon’s takeover.
—Choe Sang-Hun, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2025
Surely that high-risk role would better be performed by an underling and not the leader of the rebels.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for underling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underling
Noun
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Another supervisor acknowledged yelling at a subordinate who hadn't listened to instructions.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
6 June 2025
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Read More Jail official forces subordinates to perform free labor at his MA home, feds say In Massachusetts, Thomas Brady, a former jail official, is accused of forcing employees to perform free labor at his home, according to federal prosecutors.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
31 May 2025
Noun
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Kent has shown up at Gloucester’s castle and runs into Goneril’s steward/henchman, Oswald.—
Nan Z. Da
June 10,
Literary Hub,
10 June 2025
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Noni finds herself up against Lion’s violent henchmen and women in series of fight-to-the-death encounters aboard the tyrant’s grandiose sailing ship, which lies at the heart of a vast naval fleet.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
9 June 2025
Noun
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Negan banished him and seized control of the Dama’s minions.—
Charlie Mason,
TVLine,
8 June 2025
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Eve’s drive for revenge also is a problem for the Ruska Roma, as The Director long has enjoyed an agreement with The Chancellor that neither’s minions will interfere with the other’s.—
Mark Meszoros,
Boston Herald,
6 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Underling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underling. Accessed 23 Jun. 2025.
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