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
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
10 June 2026
The tension between the two boils over into a confrontation which only Eisenhower can adjudicate, a task complicated by his own arrogant British subordinate, a wiry and dislikable General Bernard Montgomery - played with a villainous verve bordering on the pantomime by Damian Lewis.
—
Daniel Jonah Wolpert,
NPR,
29 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
Another maintenance officer months later reported Brady to the Massachusetts State Ethics Commission for having subordinates perform work at his private residence.
—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
10 June 2026
The tension between the two boils over into a confrontation which only Eisenhower can adjudicate, a task complicated by his own arrogant British subordinate, a wiry and dislikable General Bernard Montgomery - played with a villainous verve bordering on the pantomime by Damian Lewis.
—
Daniel Jonah Wolpert,
NPR,
29 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.
Noun
-
France’s Annecy International Animation Film Festival gets underway this weekend with Illumination’s Minions & Monsters, the latest movie devoted to the mischievous army of yellow underlings first introduced in 2010 breakout Despicable Me.
-
Towards the end of the season, Chris relapses and starts using again, leading to a car crash that leaves him maimed, giving Tony no other option but to whack his underling.
Verb
-
This particular issue has to do with Washington state provisions that allow shelters to refuse to notify parents when minors are seeking gender-affirming care if the shelters conclude that the parents might subject the child to abuse or neglect.
-
Other states are subjecting their wealthiest residents to new income taxes, rather than taxing assets.
Adjective
-
Canada's Promise David, who was subbed on in the 75th minute, scored less than a minute into his time on the field, with an assist from Nathan Saliba.
-
Link to earlier discovery The new findings come less than a year after Perseverance examined a rock called Cheyava Falls, which scientists described as one of the most intriguing samples collected on Mars.
Noun
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The 5-foot-10 junior is originally from Minico High School in Rupert, where she was named the 4A Player of the Year as a senior in 2022.
-
Palestra, nine years Grimaldo’s junior, does not have as refined an offensive game, but provides a few different dimensions — including a more seamless fit into a back four.
Verb
-
Hong Kong/Hangzhou/Beijing — When humanoid robots dominated the stage of last year’s Spring Festival Gala with sleek dance routines, Ai Lin saw more than a spectacle.
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Brazil has dominated possession but has not turned that into opportunities to score.
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.
-
Lower gas demand amid increasing supply has led to lower pump prices.
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.
Cite this Entry
“Subordinate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subordinate. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.
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