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
Todd Spangler, Variety, 15 May 2025
Hamilton’s primary argument against this line of reasoning is that the major questions doctrine does not apply to the president at all, only to actions by federal agencies that are subordinate to the president.
—Ian Millhiser, Vox, 13 May 2025
Miami Herald, 31 May 2025
The finale reveals that Kevin lost his dream job as an FBI Agent after getting caught beating up Pellegrini’s subordinate, Vinnie Santoro (Alexander Bertrand), on the night of Eddie’s murder.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 19 May 2025
Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025
The administration is following Project 2025 in reasserting presidential control over the entire federal bureaucracy and subordinating independent agencies.
—Jane Harman, Time, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for subordinate
Adjective
The company kept the HBO brand, of course, as subordinate under the Max umbrella.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 15 May 2025
Hamilton’s primary argument against this line of reasoning is that the major questions doctrine does not apply to the president at all, only to actions by federal agencies that are subordinate to the president.
—Ian Millhiser, Vox, 13 May 2025
Noun
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, 31 May 2025
The finale reveals that Kevin lost his dream job as an FBI Agent after getting caught beating up Pellegrini’s subordinate, Vinnie Santoro (Alexander Bertrand), on the night of Eddie’s murder.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 19 May 2025
Verb
From the perspective of an investor, this resembles a business where control completely subordinates performance.
—Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025
The administration is following Project 2025 in reasserting presidential control over the entire federal bureaucracy and subordinating independent agencies.
—Jane Harman, Time, 10 Apr. 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
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The story of 2022 (and 2021 to a lesser extent) was energy.—
Nicole Goodkind,
CNN,
31 Jan. 2023
Noun
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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
-
Hwang loudly calls out the flaw of democracy that allows the barest of majorities to subject all to nightmarish policies — even more nightmarish for those who voted against them.—
Michael Ordoña,
Los Angeles Times,
27 June 2025
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Congress passed the law that led to its creation based on its power under the Constitution’s spending clause, which allows Congress to subject federal funds to certain requirements.—
Naomi Cahn,
The Conversation,
27 June 2025
Adjective
-
Traffic circles require less space and generally are placed in residential areas.—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 June 2025
-
Behind him stands a little girl, less than half his size, wearing a red dress, a red bow poking from the thicket of her heavy black hair.—
Daniel Alarcón,
New Yorker,
30 June 2025
Verb
-
Thong style sandals prevailed as footwear on the looks, and large oversized bags dominated the man bags.—
Roxanne Robinson,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
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The right hemisphere of the brain dominates in spatial attention, while the right amygdala is dominant for processing threats.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
30 June 2025
Noun
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The association gives out four awards annually -- one for an elementary, one middle/junior high, one for a secondary counselor and a fourth for the overall counselor of the year.—
Lena Miano,
Arkansas Online,
30 June 2025
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The team, comprised of three juniors and one sophomore, are returning to IMG Academy next season.—
Jason Dill,
Miami Herald,
28 June 2025
Verb
-
Nimmo’s celebration upon hitting the grand slam was subdued.—
Will Sammon,
New York Times,
6 July 2025
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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
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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
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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 10 Jul. 2025.
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