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
Nushrat Rahman, Freep.com, 6 Jan. 2026
Santa’s elves are subordinate Clauses.
—Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Dec. 2025
Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 6 Feb. 2026
In 2024, Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas left Wasserman Music for WME shortly after a Daily Mail report alleged Wasserman had engaged in inappropriate relationships with multiple female subordinates.
—Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 6 Feb. 2026
Arie Perliger, The Conversation, 12 Dec. 2025
The past two generations of health care have been about gradual socialization of medicine, which has subordinated both patients and doctors to faceless bureaucrats and insurers.
—Kim-Lien Nguyen, Boston Herald, 29 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for subordinate
Adjective
The inspector general's investigation found that Reece and Ruff — who were supervisor and subordinate — did not disclose their romantic relationship, which is a violation of a city executive order.
—Nushrat Rahman, Freep.com, 6 Jan. 2026
Santa’s elves are subordinate Clauses.
—Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Dec. 2025
Noun
She was accused of misbehavior that included mismanaging the budget, failing to carry out personnel instructions and ordering a subordinate to spy by Palmer’s legally privileged email correspondence.
—Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 6 Feb. 2026
In 2024, Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas left Wasserman Music for WME shortly after a Daily Mail report alleged Wasserman had engaged in inappropriate relationships with multiple female subordinates.
—Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 6 Feb. 2026
Verb
Similarly, plans to subordinate the West Bank Border Police to Ben-Gvir’s Ministry of National Security threaten to dismantle the unified command structure that has been instrumental in managing tensions in the occupied West Bank since 1967.
—Arie Perliger, The Conversation, 12 Dec. 2025
The past two generations of health care have been about gradual socialization of medicine, which has subordinated both patients and doctors to faceless bureaucrats and insurers.
—Kim-Lien Nguyen, Boston Herald, 29 Nov. 2025
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
-
Back then, Srinivas noted, a computer was the name for an astronomer’s apprentice; the underling tasked with doing the calculations to support the boss’ celestial theories.—
Alexei Oreskovic,
Fortune,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Shell looked to be on his way to a high-profile comeback after losing his job as NBCUniversal chief executive three years ago over an inappropriate relationship with an underling.—
Meg James,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Even occasional use would subject people to a potential loss of their Second Amendment rights.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
14 Mar. 2026
-
In the most recent flare-up, the government restricted payment until WADA subjected itself to an independent audit.—
Eddie Pells,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Fed officials are still penciling in one more cut by the end of 2026, but Chair Jerome Powell suggested those projections may be worth less than usual because of how much more uncertainty exists about inflation and the economy.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
19 Mar. 2026
-
The lifelong East Austinite, who grew up on an unpaved Maple Avenue less than a mile from his restaurant on Manor Road, began his culinary career in 1973, working at the Night Hawk for Harry Akin, the first Austinite to integrate both the customer and staffing sides of a restaurant.—
Matthew Odam,
Austin American Statesman,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Led by a freshman Ray Allen, juniors Donny and Donyell Marshall and Kevin Ollie, and freshman Doron Sheffer, these Huskies went 27-4 in the regular season and 16-2 in the Big East, earning the regular season conference title.—
Kels Dayton,
Hartford Courant,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Valparaiso’s team, all three of them juniors, focused on limiting fossil fuels’ impact on the environment, while Chesterton’s team, all of them seniors, drilled home the impact on water scarcity when data centers are concentrated in areas where sufficient green energy sources are available.—
Doug Ross,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Beautifully cast and acted, as well-paced as any series in recent memory, HBO’s production is not just watchable but addictive, a weekly antidote to the flavorless crime sagas that now dominate streaming and network TV.—
Graham Hillard,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
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Lithium refining is expensive and technologically complex, and most of the world’s midstream processing capacity remains concentrated in China, meaning Chinese firms dominate not only mining but also the chemical refining stage where much of the value is captured.—
Ray Mwayera,
semafor.com,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Solomon allegedly continued punching other TSA officers until Dallas police were able to subdue him, officials said.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 Mar. 2026
-
In Virginia, Mohamed Bailor Jalloh opened fire in a classroom at Old Dominion University before ROTC students subdued and killed him.—
Joey Cappelletti,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Mar. 2026
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 20 Mar. 2026.
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