SUBORDINATES Synonyms: 92 Similar and Opposite Words

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

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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

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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

Noun

Ordinary taxpayers don’t get to sue the IRS, settle with their own subordinates, and emerge with a bespoke release from audits and liabilities. —

Andrew Leahey, Forbes.com, 29 May 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 Cincinnati's now-former police chief, once sued by subordinates for alleged discrimination against White male officers, has been fired. —

Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2026 That promotes stability, because the president won’t feel the need to fire subordinates to keep his job secure. —

Daniel C. Vock, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026 Presidents are usually removed from voters, separated by layers of security and surrounded by adoring subordinates. —

Michelle L. Price, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026 But inappropriate behavior toward and with subordinates is too often not a shocking secret within the halls of Congress. —

Michelle Cottle, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 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

The Canadian-Norwegian co-production for CBC and NRK follows a spoiled Norwegian factory heir from the 1800s, who forces a group of reluctant underlings to the American Wild West to gather material for his novel.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 26 May 2026
But the occupant of the Oval Office doesn’t want his underlings engaging in self-promotion and vindictive lawsuits.

— Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 28 Apr. 2026