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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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 subordinates
ABC News, 7 Mar. 2026
Li Gang / Xinhua News Agency / AP Analysts say the campaign is also a way for Xi, who is in his 14th year in power, to remove potential rivals and ensure absolute loyalty among his subordinates.
—CBS News, 7 Mar. 2026
Khamenei was known to be displeased when asked to referee disagreements between subordinates.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 1 Mar. 2026
With various factions controlled by key lieutenants, some of them close relatives, Oseguera’s moniker has been invoked to instill terror and keep subordinates in line, Craine said.
—Senior Editor, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2026
In 2024, Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas left Wasserman Music for WME shortly after a Daily Mail report alleged Wasserman had engaged in inappropriate relationships with multiple female subordinates.
—Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 6 Feb. 2026
Such feuds with subordinates are one of the challenges McFadden faces in his third run for sheriff.
—Ryan Oehrli, Charlotte Observer, 29 Jan. 2026
Fleming was one of at least nine BPD employees who filed complaints, which boiled down to concerns that Lee engaged in unethical behavior, repeatedly retaliated against subordinates, and behaved unprofessionally while creating a hostile work environment.
—Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 28 Jan. 2026
Quarterbacks who have attained a certain status understandably don’t want to start over as subordinates, be assigned grunt work and wait in line for promotions.
—Dan Pompei, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026
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
Noun
Analysts say the campaign is also a way for Xi, who is in his 14th year in power, to remove potential rivals and ensure absolute loyalty among his subordinates.
—ABC News, 7 Mar. 2026
Li Gang / Xinhua News Agency / AP Analysts say the campaign is also a way for Xi, who is in his 14th year in power, to remove potential rivals and ensure absolute loyalty among his subordinates.
—CBS News, 7 Mar. 2026
Khamenei was known to be displeased when asked to referee disagreements between subordinates.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 1 Mar. 2026
With various factions controlled by key lieutenants, some of them close relatives, Oseguera’s moniker has been invoked to instill terror and keep subordinates in line, Craine said.
—Senior Editor, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2026
In 2024, Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas left Wasserman Music for WME shortly after a Daily Mail report alleged Wasserman had engaged in inappropriate relationships with multiple female subordinates.
—Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 6 Feb. 2026
Such feuds with subordinates are one of the challenges McFadden faces in his third run for sheriff.
—Ryan Oehrli, Charlotte Observer, 29 Jan. 2026
Fleming was one of at least nine BPD employees who filed complaints, which boiled down to concerns that Lee engaged in unethical behavior, repeatedly retaliated against subordinates, and behaved unprofessionally while creating a hostile work environment.
—Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 28 Jan. 2026
Quarterbacks who have attained a certain status understandably don’t want to start over as subordinates, be assigned grunt work and wait in line for promotions.
—Dan Pompei, New York Times, 13 Jan. 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subordinates
Noun
-
That’s striking, considering that execs tend to be far more enthusiastic about the tech compared to their underlings.—
Frank Landymore,
Futurism,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Despite the scary Instagram post, gang leader Lamar Williams was still convicted this month of a 2013 murder in the Bronx, and the two underlings accused of trying to keep him out of prison could wind up joining him.—
Leonard Greene,
New York Daily News,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Hjorth, a devoted reader of Kierkegaard, subjects the mothers in her novels to a special kind of moral scrutiny.—
Elaine Blair,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Feb. 2026
-
His case also lays bare a US immigration system that routinely subjects migrants to prolonged detention under harsh conditions – one that human rights organizations say overwhelmingly ensnares Black and brown people far from the public spotlight.—
Kara Fox,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Instead, his minions, so afraid of earning his wrath, have remained quiet.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Ackie mostly barks orders at her minions to go get him, while Nighy in his home plays the bad guy demanding blood.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
But with semiconductor earnings still strong and valuations stabilizing, other market watchers believe the underlying fundamentals of South Korea's equity market remain intact, particularly in the semiconductor sector that dominates the index.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
6 Mar. 2026
-
For decades, America ceded this control, a strategic blunder that left our security perilously dependent on China, which now dominates over 80% of the global supply chain.—
Markos Kounalakis,
Mercury News,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
At his orders, cartel henchmen began setting fire to vehicles, gas stations and government buildings and blockaded major highways.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
24 Feb. 2026
-
During the ensuing gun battle between soldiers and cartel henchmen, Oseguera escaped.—
Kate Linthicum,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
They're initially separated, because of John's military job that took him away from his family for so long, but their expedition brings them closer again, reminding them that love conquers all – even when you're lost in space.—
Sergio Pereira,
Space.com,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Cruise down Market Street—skimming past buzzing tech hubs—while your autonomous vehicle conquers steep hills and tight turns with uncanny precision.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Royd subdues and binds her before taking off to restore the power.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
13 Nov. 2025
-
For those who are more into curves than angles, the Bialetti Moon takes all the functional elements of the moka stovetop espresso maker and subdues them with a rounded stainless steel silhouette.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Last summer, Torrey Pines High School volleyball standout Griffin Dieter was named one of the top 16 juniors in the nation.—
Tim Meehan,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Mar. 2026
-
The pair are juniors at Yale University who were set up by mutual friends.—
Asuka Koda,
CNN Money,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Subordinates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subordinates. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
