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
Steve Inskeep, NPR, 25 June 2025
Columban monasteries remained free of the control of local bishops and were instead directly subordinate to the pope.
—Bernd Roeck
june 16, Literary Hub, 16 June 2025
Alexander Coolidge, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
That claim by President Trump and his subordinates seems at once overblown and beside the point.
—Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 27 June 2025
Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 July 2025
The task forces would at least formally subordinate the Drug Enforcement Administration to HSI and the FBI after half a century in which the DEA has been the government’s lead agency for narcotics enforcement.
—Tim Golden, ProPublica, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for subordinate
Adjective
These institutions provide checks and balances in a way that would almost seem to draw on American traditions of government — with the profound difference that all institutions in Iran are ultimately subordinate to just one power, Khamenei's.
—Steve Inskeep, NPR, 25 June 2025
Columban monasteries remained free of the control of local bishops and were instead directly subordinate to the pope.
—Bernd Roeck
june 16, Literary Hub, 16 June 2025
Noun
The disclosure appears to rule out problems with the company’s accounting, mishandling of day-to-day business or questionable conduct with a subordinate.
—Alexander Coolidge, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
That claim by President Trump and his subordinates seems at once overblown and beside the point.
—Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 27 June 2025
Verb
Torop worked to subordinate other people to his power, by using psychological violence against them, causing harm to their health.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 July 2025
The task forces would at least formally subordinate the Drug Enforcement Administration to HSI and the FBI after half a century in which the DEA has been the government’s lead agency for narcotics enforcement.
—Tim Golden, ProPublica, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for subordinate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subordinate
Adjective
-
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
-
The story of 2022 (and 2021 to a lesser extent) was energy.—
Nicole Goodkind,
CNN,
31 Jan. 2023
Noun
-
Fierstein's character works at a New York City cable company, where his underling, the genius played by Goldblum, first pieces together that the signal sent among the alien ships all perched over Earth's major landmarks is actually a countdown.—
Jordan Hoffman,
EW.com,
4 July 2025
-
After their underlings screwed up the Geneva trade agreement, the two bosses had to get involved which must be frustrating for them.—
Brendan Ahern,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2025
Verb
-
Additional sanctions could subject Robinson to probation, suspension, termination or a host of possible penalties related to promotions, tenure or salary, according to IU code.—
Cate Charron,
IndyStar,
15 Aug. 2025
-
Having to subject yourself to a room that’s hot as hell could deter you from taking a class altogether—leading you to miss out on all the benefits of exercise that are just as abundant in mild temps.—
Erica Sloan,
SELF,
8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
While Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles isn’t quite ready to say whether there’s now a choice to be made between Bridgewater and Trask, Bridgewater’s performance less than two weeks after signing provided pretty compelling evidence that there’s still plenty left in the 32-year-old’s right arm.—
Will Graves,
The Orlando Sentinel,
17 Aug. 2025
-
Though still high, the rate on imports from Vietnam is less than half the level Trump threatened on April 2, Laperriere said.—
Sean Conlon,
CNBC,
17 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Once dominated by legacy brands, like L’Oréal, Unilever, Estée Lauder, P&G, LVMH, and Chanel, the $650B sector has transformed significantly, with the explosive growth of new brands like e.l.f., AI technology, and social media.—
Dean DeBiase,
Forbes.com,
17 Aug. 2025
-
In an age dominated by smartphones, his old devices serve as both nostalgic keepsakes and reminders of a slower, less connected time.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Defenders Elijah Hope, another fourth-year senior, and Johan Hamel, a junior, are also team captains for the 2025 season.—
Joe Arruda,
Hartford Courant,
15 Aug. 2025
-
These days, the redshirt junior, who’s in line to be the team’s starting nose tackle, sports prominent scars on each side of the ankle.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Asia-Pacific markets were subdued overnight as a result.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
11 Aug. 2025
-
The two also showed a demonstration of what a K9 takedown looks like, with Humphries acting as a target and K9 Bob subduing him.—
Richard Requena,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
And ultimately, the Supreme Court overruled those lower court rulings and did declare the embryos as children qualifying under the wrongful death statute.—
Dana Taylor,
USA TODAY,
1 Mar. 2024
-
Lower gas demand amid increasing supply has led to lower pump prices.—
Frank Witsil,
Detroit Free Press,
19 June 2023
Cite this Entry
“Subordinate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subordinate. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
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