as in obedience
a bending to the authority or control of another
an oligarchy requires subordination by the masses to the will of a tiny elite
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Recent Examples of subordination
This back-and-forth struggle to dominate American institutions testifies to their surpassing value and to their insusceptibility to permanent subordination.
—
Stephen Kotkin, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
Instead, officials reinforce colonial subordination while deepening the vulnerability of immigrant communities.
—Israel Melendez Ayala, Time, 16 Sep. 2025
The documentation should show the commercial rationale for the advance, a repayment schedule, any security or subordination terms, and actions consistent with a creditor relationship (for example, formal demands for payment, enforcement steps or arms‑length interest rates).
—Virginia La Torre Jeker, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Trump’s Oval Office subordination of the Europeans was stunning.
—John Seiler, Oc Register, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for subordination
Stephen Kotkin, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
Instead, officials reinforce colonial subordination while deepening the vulnerability of immigrant communities.
—Israel Melendez Ayala, Time, 16 Sep. 2025
The documentation should show the commercial rationale for the advance, a repayment schedule, any security or subordination terms, and actions consistent with a creditor relationship (for example, formal demands for payment, enforcement steps or arms‑length interest rates).
—Virginia La Torre Jeker, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Trump’s Oval Office subordination of the Europeans was stunning.
—John Seiler, Oc Register, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for subordination
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subordination
Noun
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As the ministry at Sam Houston grew into the largest Chi Alpha chapter in the country, his teachings — including an emphasis on unquestioned obedience to spiritual leaders — spread with it, carried by former students who went on to launch chapters across Texas and beyond.—
Mike Hixenbaugh,
NBC news,
7 May 2026
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Augustinians also take vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.—
Peter Wehner,
The Atlantic,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The final submission—a six-line poem from Akil—was cryptic, nearly indecipherable.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 May 2026
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The submission fee is $15 per item; credit cards, checks and cash will be accepted.—
Melinda Moore,
Chicago Tribune,
11 May 2026
Noun
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This spring, Minnesota state lawmakers are considering legislation (SF 3769/HF 3609) to further enforce compliance with the 340B program, which allows qualifying medical facilities to buy medications from pharmaceutical companies at a discount.—
Dené K. Dryden,
Twin Cities,
8 May 2026
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Michael Santiago, 48, is a professional compliance officer at a bank and resident of Chatsworth, who gets his comics at We Can Be Heroes.—
Daily News,
Daily News,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Subordination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subordination. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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