as in subjected
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of subordinated
The brilliance of her artwork is many times subordinated to her biography.
—
Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
The past two generations of health care have been about gradual socialization of medicine, which has subordinated both patients and doctors to faceless bureaucrats and insurers.
—Kim-Lien Nguyen, Boston Herald, 29 Nov. 2025
However, the deeds that were supposed to to secure the loans were ultimately subordinated without CB&T’s knowledge, Zions said in the lawsuit.
—Leslie Picker, CNBC, 18 Oct. 2025
White Out possesses the quest element that propels many a recovery memoir—except that in Clune’s case, the quest for sobriety is until the end consistently subordinated to the quest to score more drugs.
—Scott Stossel, The Atlantic, 9 Sep. 2025
This is not to defend Cook, but rather to illustrate the parallelism and hypocrisy of the rule of law being subordinated to the law of the ruler.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2025
Anyone who diverges from progressive orthodoxy is excluded from faculty ranks, free inquiry is subordinated to activism, and taxpayer funds flow into administrative bureaucracies that enforce political correctness.
—Ilya Shapiro, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Aug. 2025
This is a major change for a Republican Party that used to believe that character and behavior mattered and couldn’t be subordinated or overlooked.
—Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 4 Aug. 2025
Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
The past two generations of health care have been about gradual socialization of medicine, which has subordinated both patients and doctors to faceless bureaucrats and insurers.
—Kim-Lien Nguyen, Boston Herald, 29 Nov. 2025
However, the deeds that were supposed to to secure the loans were ultimately subordinated without CB&T’s knowledge, Zions said in the lawsuit.
—Leslie Picker, CNBC, 18 Oct. 2025
White Out possesses the quest element that propels many a recovery memoir—except that in Clune’s case, the quest for sobriety is until the end consistently subordinated to the quest to score more drugs.
—Scott Stossel, The Atlantic, 9 Sep. 2025
This is not to defend Cook, but rather to illustrate the parallelism and hypocrisy of the rule of law being subordinated to the law of the ruler.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2025
Anyone who diverges from progressive orthodoxy is excluded from faculty ranks, free inquiry is subordinated to activism, and taxpayer funds flow into administrative bureaucracies that enforce political correctness.
—Ilya Shapiro, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Aug. 2025
This is a major change for a Republican Party that used to believe that character and behavior mattered and couldn’t be subordinated or overlooked.
—Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 4 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subordinated
Verb
-
The very first episode of ANTM subjected the contestants to on-camera Brazilian bikini waxes and then sent them up to a Manhattan roof terrace to pose in swimwear in frigid weather.—
Sophie Gilbert,
The Atlantic,
6 Mar. 2026
-
For over three decades, Khamenei subjected Iranians to severe authoritarianism and repression, culminating in him ordering the security forces to shoot and kill thousands of Iranians during the protests in January 2026, not to mention those in previous years.—
Eric Lob,
The Conversation,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Shah, 35, former mayor of the capital city of Kathmandu, has dominated the race to become Nepal’s PM during the campaign, gaining popularity across the country.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The fear that artificial intelligence (AI) will hollow out the workforce has dominated corporate boardrooms and business headlines for years, and gathered pace in early 2026.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
After fashion’s front row set conquered London, the caravan rolled onto Milan Fashion Week, where the energy felt instantly amplified.—
Amanda Le,
InStyle,
4 Mar. 2026
-
News broke yesterday that Andor‘s Beau Willimon has boarded a Game of Thrones movie, which will follow the story of Aegon I, the first Lord of the Seven Kingdoms who conquered Westeros and spawned the Targaryen dynasty.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Diazsandi was subsequently subdued and taken into custody by the officers, police said.—
Aurora Beacon-News,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Mar. 2026
-
The Knicks had just come off a 142-103 victory in Denver on Friday night, one night after the Nuggets had subdued the Lakers, 120-113.—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Sierra Canyon defeated Santa Margarita 72-60 behind 23 points and 10 rebounds from Brandon McCoy.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Jayson Tatum kick-started Boston with a strong first quarter in his second game back from Achilles surgery, and co-star Jaylen Brown flirted with a triple-double, finishing with 23 points, nine rebounds and eight assists as the Celtics defeated the Cavaliers 109-98 at Rocket Arena.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
8 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Subordinated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subordinated. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
