Synonyms of subordination

subordination

noun

sə-ˌbȯr-də-ˈnā-shən 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• obedience
• submission
• compliance
• conformity
• submissiveness
• surrender
• acquiescence
• subservience
• subserviency
• capitulation
• servility
• deference
• suppression
• repression
• discipline
• obsequiousness
• obeisance
• docility
• tractability
• humility
• amenability
• yielding
• dutifulness
• trainability
• meekness
• teachableness
• agreeability
• modesty
• inhibition
• slavishness
• restraint
• tractableness
• abidance
• order
• control
• subordinateness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• disobedience
• rebellion
• insubordination
• noncompliance
• defiance
• rebelliousness
• intractability
• recalcitrance
• contumacy
• waywardness
• willfulness
• refractoriness
• self-will
• unruliness
• contrariness
• disrespect
• noncooperation
• revolt
• insurrection
• insolence
• insurgency
• impudence
• outbreak
• recusancy
• perversity
• mutiny
• rudeness
• rebelling
• frowardness
• obstreperousness
• obstinacy
• stubbornness
• balkiness
• insurgence
• misbehavior
• dissent
• pigheadedness
• hardheadedness
• dissidence
• naughtiness
• mischievousness
• mulishness
• mutinousness
• obstinateness

Example Sentences

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

Lai rejects that position entirely, calling it a path toward subordination to China. — Eryk Michael Smith, FOXNews.com, 3 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