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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of underling
Trump, never one to be burdened by details, has been more than happy to look at the big-picture goals and leave the annoyances to underlings.
—
Philip Elliott, TIME, 12 Dec. 2024
Here’s a representative clip from the 1967 Christmas episode of The Dean Martin Show, in which Newhart does a routine about a bomb-squad officer taking a call from an underling who’s found an unexploded shell.
—Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 19 July 2024
Like her underlings, Riya also possesses great comic timing, often puncturing all the tension, both professional and personal, with a killer one-liner.
—Jon O'Brien, IndieWire, 23 Oct. 2024
According to a ProPublica report, some of Nunes’ underlings have concerns about his performance.
—Zach Everson, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for underling 
Philip Elliott, TIME, 12 Dec. 2024
Here’s a representative clip from the 1967 Christmas episode of The Dean Martin Show, in which Newhart does a routine about a bomb-squad officer taking a call from an underling who’s found an unexploded shell.
—Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 19 July 2024
Like her underlings, Riya also possesses great comic timing, often puncturing all the tension, both professional and personal, with a killer one-liner.
—Jon O'Brien, IndieWire, 23 Oct. 2024
According to a ProPublica report, some of Nunes’ underlings have concerns about his performance.
—Zach Everson, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for underling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underling
Noun
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But the loudest calls to attention have been directed toward subordinates, schoolchildren, and women.—
Daniel Immerwahr,
The New Yorker,
20 Jan. 2025
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That internal review, done by Austin’s subordinates, largely absolved anyone of wrongdoing for the secrecy surrounding his hospitalization.—
Tara Copp and Lolita C. Baldor,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The bullet from Csonka’s henchman fractured Vo’s collarbone and hit a major vein, sending her into shock during surgery amid much blood loss.—
Matt Webb Mitovich,
TVLine,
21 Jan. 2025
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Borisov, whose Russian henchman Igor grows close to Mikey Madison's titular character over the course or Baker's unpredictable odyssey, has been dominating awards season for his breakthrough performance.—
Raven Brunner,
People.com,
9 Jan. 2025
Noun
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And her reign is supported by her (mostly) devoted minions, played by Bowen Yang and Bronwyn James.—
Sara Netzley,
EW.com,
30 Dec. 2024
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Not even the dynamic duos of Joy and Anxiety, Deadpool and Wolverine, Gru and his minions or Paul Atreides and those massive sandworms could push the 2024 box office to pre-pandemic heights.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
2 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near underling
Cite this Entry
“Underling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underling. Accessed 3 Feb. 2025.
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