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
-
The Department of Justice and the Treasury subjected the question of whether the change could be made without congressional action to their gimlet-eyed scrutiny, and turned thumbs-down.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Olivera also alleged that Mustafa subjected her to ongoing harassment through social media, emphasizing that the situation left her concerned for her safety and her child’s well-being.—
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
A little speck on the metaphorical Southlake Carroll wall that’s been historically dominated by its eight-time state champion football program.—
Shawn McFarland,
Dallas Morning News,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Its skyline is dominated by corporate high-rises, business hotels, and diplomatic dwellings—the US ambassador's house is a few minutes away.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
It’s been nearly four years since Harry Styles last conquered the pop world with his blockbuster set Harry’s House — and based on the immediate returns for that set’s follow-up, most of his longtime fans are more than willing to follow him from his domicile to the club.—
Annie Harrigan,
Billboard,
17 Mar. 2026
-
From Syria, Israel conquered and occupied the Golan Heights; and from Jordan, East Jerusalem and the West Bank of the Jordan.—
Shalom Goldman,
The Conversation,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In Virginia, Mohamed Bailor Jalloh opened fire in a classroom at Old Dominion University before ROTC students subdued and killed him.—
Joey Cappelletti,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Mar. 2026
-
The students subdued and killed the shooter, said FBI Special Agent in Charge Dominique Evans.—
Emma Tucker,
CNN Money,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In their most recent matchup, UCI defeated the Aztecs, 55-45, at Viejas Arena in the first round of the 2023 WNIT.—
Oc Register,
Oc Register,
16 Mar. 2026
-
The Blue Devils defeated Florida, Arkansas, Kansas and Michigan State, among others.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Subordinated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subordinated. Accessed 23 Mar. 2026.
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