Synonyms of subordinate

subordinate 1 of 3

adjective

sə-ˈbȯr-də-nət 

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

• lesser
• less
• smaller
• lower
• junior
• small
• minor
• inferior
• secondary
• petty
• auxiliary
• associate
• subsidiary
• little
• second-class
• mean
• jerkwater
• second-rate
• minute
• two-bit
• one-horse

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• higher
• more
• greater
• major
• senior
• primary
• superior
• prime
• superordinate
• exceptional
• first-class
• first-rate
• choice

subordinate

2 of 3

noun

sə-ˈbȯr-də-nət 

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

• underling
• junior
• inferior
• minion
• henchman
• assistant
• sidekick
• deputy
• follower
• steward
• attendant
• adjutant
• domestic
• aide
• lackey
• second
• retainer
• aid
• coadjutor
• flunky
• mate
• menial
• second fiddle
• helpmate
• helpmeet

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• superior
• chief
• leader
• master
• boss
• head
• captain
• foreman
• senior
• helmsman
• headman
• taskmaster
• kingpin

subordinate

3 of 3

verb

sə-ˈbȯr-də-ˌnāt 

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

• subject
• dominate
• subdue
• conquer
• defeat
• subjugate
• overcome
• enslave
• overpower
• pacify
• vanquish
• reduce
• crush
• beat
• annihilate
• prevail (over)
• mow (down)
• lick
• triumph (over)
• smash
• suppress
• whip
• rout
• clobber
• quell
• thrash
• trounce
• repress
• quash
• smother
• silence
• put down
• drub
• crack down (on)
• squelch
• squash
• skunk
• wallop
• snuff (out)
• clamp down (on)
• break

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• liberate
• discharge
• emancipate
• free
• release
• enfranchise
• manumit
• spring
• unbind
• unfetter
• unchain
• uncage

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of subordinate

Adjective

There were four on each of the two ships in the Franklin expedition, with the best candidates being Thomas Armitage, gunroom steward, or William Gibson, subordinate officers’ steward, both of whom served on the HMS Terror. — ArsTechnica, 8 May 2026

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

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

Top Boomer leaders surrounded themselves with people who would subordinate themselves entirely to the boss’s vision — loyalists, not heirs. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 25 May 2026

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