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
Bayliss Wagner, San Antonio Express-News, 7 Apr. 2026
Everything should be subordinate to a general loveliness.
—Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026
Daniel C. Vock, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
But inappropriate behavior toward and with subordinates is too often not a shocking secret within the halls of Congress.
—Michelle Cottle, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026
John Schmidt, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for subordinate
Adjective
The previously unreported messages establish that the congressman propositioned a subordinate years before his 2024 affair with Santos-Aviles, who later died by suicide.
—Bayliss Wagner, San Antonio Express-News, 7 Apr. 2026
Everything should be subordinate to a general loveliness.
—Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026
Noun
That promotes stability, because the president won’t feel the need to fire subordinates to keep his job secure.
—Daniel C. Vock, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
But inappropriate behavior toward and with subordinates is too often not a shocking secret within the halls of Congress.
—Michelle Cottle, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026
Verb
Some of these transfers may run into conflicts with the existing police union contract; if that happens, Pallmeyer should not hesitate to use her power to subordinate those contractual provisions to the requirements of constitutional policing under the court decree.
—John Schmidt, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026
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
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
-
This time playing an underling rather than a boss, Hoskins gave one of the best performances of his career in what remains a high point for Jordan as well, a lyrical and poignant yet savage film noir filled with regret, rage, and unrequited love.—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Historically, film studios have been run by one monolithic figure, calling shots and running expansive teams of middle managers and underlings.—
Matt Donnelly,
Variety,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Demand is highest when the weather is at its worst, which subjects you to freezing temperatures and rotten road conditions.—
Kathy Kristof,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
-
For the first time, balls and strikes can now be challenged, subjecting the fundamental building block of the game to review.—
Sean McIndoe,
New York Times,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The decision to sack Liam Rosenior after less than four months in charge is not one Chelsea took lightly.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Mavromatis alleges she was let go from the company less than three weeks after her return.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Highlanders top three players — freshman Sohith Tella, junior Jackson Bates, and Chang all split sets before losing tiebreakers.—
Buddy Collings,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Included among them, earning his scholarship at the end of his redshirt freshman season in 2022 and then later being a second-team All-American as a junior in 2024 and first-team All-SEC selection last season.—
David Furones,
Sun Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
While Microsoft has gained traction among developers with GitHub Copilot, the AI coding market is currently being dominated by Cursor, along with Anthropic and OpenAI.—
Kate Rooney,Jordan Novet,
CNBC,
23 Apr. 2026
-
In another gallery, Joe Overstreet’s The New Jemima reimagines a racist caricature as a bold, satirical portrait of power, its bright colors dominating the quiet space.—
Carrie Honaker,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
23 Apr. 2026
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.—
Lisa Deaderick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Two sources described the evening to Variety as subdued.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Both would like to subdue Hezbollah and transform it into a relatively normal Lebanese political party.—
Hussein Ibish,
The Atlantic,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Subordinate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subordinate. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.
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