Synonyms of subordinates

subordinates 1 of 2

noun

plural of subordinate

as in underlings

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

• underlings
• minions
• henchmen
• inferiors
• juniors
• assistants
• followers
• sidekicks
• deputies
• attendants
• aides
• menials
• stewards
• retainers
• domestics
• lackeys
• adjutants
• flunkies
• seconds
• coadjutors
• mates
• aids
• helpmates
• helpmeets
• second fiddles

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• superiors
• seniors
• leaders
• bosses
• foremen
• chiefs
• masters
• heads
• captains
• headmen
• taskmasters
• helmsmen
• kingpins

subordinates

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of subordinate

as in subjects

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

• subjects
• dominates
• conquers
• subdues
• defeats
• subjugates
• overcomes
• enslaves
• vanquishes
• pacifies
• reduces
• overpowers
• beats
• crushes
• prevails (over)
• licks
• whips
• mows (down)
• smashes
• annihilates
• triumphs (over)
• routs
• suppresses
• thrashes
• wallops
• silences
• represses
• quells
• drubs
• squashes
• skunks
• squelches
• clamps down (on)
• smothers
• cracks down (on)
• puts down
• snuffs (out)
• clobbers
• trounces
• quashes
• breaks

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• discharges
• liberates
• springs
• enfranchises
• releases
• frees
• emancipates
• unbinds
• unfetters
• manumits
• uncages
• unchains

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of subordinates

Noun

The supporting figures are colorful enough, though Akkabi’s sneering chief villain arguably makes less of an impression than his subordinates. — Dennis Harvey, Variety, 26 July 2026

Mayor Dean Trantalis, Commissioner Steven Glassman and Commissioner John Herbst took issue with her leadership, accusing her of being dismissive to subordinates and ruffling too many feathers. — Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 3 July 2026

Put simply, the theory says the president should be able to issue orders to subordinates and to fire them at will. — Graham G. Dodds, The Conversation, 30 June 2026

In theory, a ceasefire would see the central government reassert more direct control of their subordinates, although concerns about assassinations might discourage them for rebuilding their electronic command and control systems, making that more difficult. — Michael Lynch, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026

Another maintenance officer months later reported Brady to the Massachusetts State Ethics Commission for having subordinates perform work at his private residence. — Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 10 June 2026

Landau quickly implemented a strict hierarchy at the agency, requiring subordinates to work up a chain of command before contacting her — an about-face from Frolich’s collaborative approach, attorneys said. — Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 27 May 2026

Maybe Aziraphale’s hope of using him to bring about peace on Earth, the part of the plan his subordinates seem to find most objectionable, isn’t so misplaced after all. — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 13 May 2026

Over the years, Braunwald continued his work, his brusque manner occasionally rubbing his subordinates and colleagues the wrong way. — Lawrence K. Altman, STAT, 7 May 2026

Verb

China subordinates the goal of improving foreign populations’ health outcomes to establishing dependency on its medical tech. — Hana Kiros, The Atlantic, 3 Feb. 2026

Disturbing contemporary audiences, the resulting superintelligence subordinates all human individuals — absorbing them as mere neurons in its global cortex. — Thomas Moynihan, Big Think, 20 Aug. 2025

Gael García Bernal brilliantly subordinates his stardom to Diaz’s discerning camera, disappearing into the role of the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, who, at the start of the 16th century, navigated a crew to Southeast Asia after convincing the Spanish crown to fund his journey. — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 5 Aug. 2025