as in contracting
to come to an agreement with another person or company to do part of a job that you have been hired to do
Parts of the project were subcontracted (out) to specialists.
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Recent Examples of subcontracting
Content industries in the country are plagued by low wages, punishing hours, and subcontracting arrangements that push risk onto the most vulnerable workers.
—
Bobby Ghosh, Time, 7 May 2026
Echo was subcontracting, which meant long hours for thin margins.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 28 Mar. 2026
But anyone subcontracting tasks to AI is clever enough to imagine what might come next—a day when augmentation crosses into automation, and cognitive obsolescence compels them to seek work at a food truck, pet spa, or massage table.
—Josh Tyrangiel, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2026
Bobby Ghosh, Time, 7 May 2026
Echo was subcontracting, which meant long hours for thin margins.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 28 Mar. 2026
But anyone subcontracting tasks to AI is clever enough to imagine what might come next—a day when augmentation crosses into automation, and cognitive obsolescence compels them to seek work at a food truck, pet spa, or massage table.
—Josh Tyrangiel, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subcontracting
Verb
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Public health staff said anyone who does not develop symptoms after 21 days is no longer considered at risk of contracting measles.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
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The estate has a long, storied history under many family names, but in 1575, the Essenault family rechristened it by contracting their family name to Issan.—
Mike DeSimone,
Robb Report,
17 June 2026
Verb
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In Britain, politicians are paying dearly for the pervasive sense that life is only getting harder and more expensive.—
Hanna Ziady,
CNN Money,
23 June 2026
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Their legal dispute ended in a zero-dollar settlement, with neither side paying the other.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
23 June 2026
Verb
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Employers are hiring fewer young people, citing an experience gap and rising minimum wages that make inexperienced youth less attractive.—
Ryan Craig,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
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The firm says inflation, oil prices and cautious hiring are likely to lead to even fewer jobs this year, resulting in the lowest summer hiring total for teens since the federal government began tracking it in 1948.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 June 2026
Verb
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Koné was in straight shock when the injury occurred, holding his leg at first and then placing his hands on his head.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
19 June 2026
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Vaden removed a photograph of the two of them from his office, placing it on the desk of the subordinate with whom the lawsuit alleges Davis was involved.—
Camryn Dadey,
Sacbee.com,
19 June 2026
Verb
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Some teachers received more than $4,000 in bonuses for recruiting students for trips.—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
23 June 2026
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Phase 3 Study 304 data in men is expected in the second half of 2026, and Phase 3 Study 306 in women is actively recruiting.—
Allison Palmer,
Kansas City Star,
22 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Subcontracting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subcontracting. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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