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
After their underlings screwed up the Geneva trade agreement, the two bosses had to get involved which must be frustrating for them.
—
Brendan Ahern, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
Flynn, who is married, also asked for the detective’s underwear, according to the suit, promising her a Commander’s Day — a day off that a supervisor can grant to an underling for exemplary police work, such as a good arrest.
—Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 5 June 2025
In some cases, their underlings on the street funneled money from the criminal enterprises into the inmates’ bank accounts.
—Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2025
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, 4 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for underling
Brendan Ahern, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
Flynn, who is married, also asked for the detective’s underwear, according to the suit, promising her a Commander’s Day — a day off that a supervisor can grant to an underling for exemplary police work, such as a good arrest.
—Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 5 June 2025
In some cases, their underlings on the street funneled money from the criminal enterprises into the inmates’ bank accounts.
—Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2025
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, 4 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for underling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underling
Noun
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Former Pflugerville Police Chief Jason O’Malley pointed a gun at a subordinate inside a police building this year, according to a third-party investigation that spurred O'Malley and two commanders to exit the force.—
Dante Motley,
Austin American Statesman,
31 July 2025
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Why this is happening is clear from a radio intercept about a similar incident, shared with CNN, in which a Russian commander can clearly be heard ordering a subordinate be tied up in this way as punishment for desertion.—
Andrew Carey,
CNN Money,
28 July 2025
Noun
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But things just continue to go wrong for both the brains of the operation (Al Pacino) and his henchman (John Cazale).—
Kevin Jacobsen,
EW.com,
2 Aug. 2025
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Why have a young man who looks exactly the same as the monolithic blockheads who are Perón’s followers and henchmen?—
Demetrios Matheou,
HollywoodReporter,
2 July 2025
Noun
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Players are asked to recruit their friends to fight the minions of the titular evil entity, the Deceiver.—
Ryan Coleman,
EW.com,
9 June 2025
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This summer has already given ample evidence of how poorly Trump and his minions understand California.—
Thomas Elias,
Mercury News,
18 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Underling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underling. Accessed 27 Aug. 2025.
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