SUBORDINATING Synonyms: 53 Similar and Opposite Words

subordinating

verb

Definition of subordinating

present participle of subordinate

as in subjecting

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 subordinating The general idea predated Wilson, but his willingness to use it in service of that abhorrent compromise—subordinating the dignity and equality of individual people to the importance of the American union—showed that his commitment to popular sovereignty had its limits. — Jesse Wegman, The Atlantic, 20 June 2026 The reorganization also gives the White House and the Department of Homeland Security new authority to oversee transnational crime investigations, subordinating the DEA and federal prosecutors, who were central to the previous system. — Tim Golden, ProPublica, 25 Feb. 2026 The film was reviewed favorably and did well, but its prime legacy is the firing and replacement of Stroheim, which Hollywood insiders instantly understood as the moment that definitively solidified the studio system, subordinating directors to producers’ commercial demands and industrial methods. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 17 Jan. 2026 Although China is eager to use BRICS as a platform to expand its influence and advertise its governance model, other members remain wary of subordinating their interests to Beijing’s ambitions. — Oliver Stuenkel, Foreign Affairs, 18 Nov. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for subordinating

Verb

Gordon tried his best to make amends, even subjecting himself to an unnecessary summer flu shot to get face time with the love of his life, but Ashley wasn’t having it… until an old family photo started giving her second thoughts.

— Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Sep. 2026
The beds can contain hundreds of blocks laid out in a grid, growing progressively deeper so an aircraft slows without subjecting the landing gear — or the people aboard — to extreme deceleration forces that can be deadly in a crash.

— Pete Muntean, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of subjecting

Verb

Speaking of those chickens, Schreiber—whose fear of poultry started as a child, when his hippie parents moved the family to a commune in Canada—seems to be successfully conquering this particular anxiety.

— Ingrid Abramovitch, Architectural Digest, 10 Sep. 2026
John Deacon, Queen The members of Queen were magpies who could throw just about anything, from opera to rockabilly, into their world-conquering arena rock.

— Al Shipley, SPIN, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of conquering

Verb

Beer that was fresh, full of flavor and aroma, and hadn’t traveled hundreds of miles or been pasteurized subduing the bright flavors.

— Blaine Callahan, Hartford Courant, 7 Sep. 2026
The drones rip through the hallways scanning for a threat before disorienting a suspect using flashing lights and subduing them using pepper balls or by ramming into their body, the company says.

— Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of subduing

Verb

In this view, aggressive development with minimal new constraints is presented as the only realistic strategy to prevent hostile foreign powers from dominating advanced AI.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026
The awards came as Harry’s uncle Charles Spencer’s new book about Princess Diana had been dominating the headlines.

— Simon Perry, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of dominating

Verb

The Cougars have a bye week after defeating former TCU quarterback Hauss Hejny and Colorado State 41-23 on Saturday.

— Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Sep. 2026
The campaign also places particular emphasis on technologies capable of defeating drones while minimizing collateral damage.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of defeating

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subordinates

subordinating

subordination

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“Subordinating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subordinating. Accessed 22 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of subordinating

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