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
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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
-
Real-world tests The scientists subjected coating samples to a week-long barrage of hot droplets, nearly two million impacts.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Feb. 2026
-
In recent decades, Murdoch, now 94, has subjected his oldest adult children to withering takedowns and has also pitted them against one another.—
The Week US,
TheWeek,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
While Colorado fell behind Midwest leaders like Minnesota, Nebraska, and Kansas—who dominated the top 10 for their mix of affordability, safety, and green space—Colorado stands out for its work-life balance (69) and education quality (59).—
Sara B. Hansen,
Denver Post,
27 Feb. 2026
-
The two-story apartment house, with pink stripes that race around the facade of pink keystone and white stucco, curves around an immaculate courtyard dominated by a date palm and strangler fig tree.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
After the 12th and 13th centuries, archaeologists could confirm that nature conquered the settlement, pointing to its abandonment.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
1 Mar. 2026
-
The Kim clan conquered real demons long ago.—
Margaret Heidenry,
Vanity Fair,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The mood was tense and subdued.—
Matt Lavietes,
NBC news,
1 Mar. 2026
-
Rooms are a bit subdued, in creams and whites, though a pop of color is provided here and there.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Luka Doncic scored 28 points and LeBron James added 24 as the Lakers defeated the Sacramento Kings 128-104 at home.—
Broderick Turner,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Mar. 2026
-
La Jolla, which defeated San Diego, West Hills and Mission Bay to reach the final, scored late to force overtime.—
La Jolla Light,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Subordinated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subordinated. Accessed 6 Mar. 2026.
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