as in subordinate
one who is of lower rank and typically under the authority of another
the real estate tycoon has a whole army of underlings to attend to the details
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of underling
Although the underlings complained about my methods, the cartel leaders, like Pedro and his boss, El Viejo, a key deputy of Pablo Escobar, were on my side.
—
Martin Suarez, Rolling Stone, 13 Sep. 2025
Unsurprisingly, Ghani and his technocratic underlings in the Afghan government were in lockstep with their American counterparts, pretending that everything was fine in the weeks (and years) leading up to the demise of the U.S.-backed regime.
—Dan Fisher, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
When his underlings spew hate about the Golden State on Fox News and social media?
—Gustavo Arellano, Mercury News, 22 Aug. 2025
Recast versions of his Romulan underlings also appear on the bridge of his Bird of Prey.
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 15 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for underling
Martin Suarez, Rolling Stone, 13 Sep. 2025
Unsurprisingly, Ghani and his technocratic underlings in the Afghan government were in lockstep with their American counterparts, pretending that everything was fine in the weeks (and years) leading up to the demise of the U.S.-backed regime.
—Dan Fisher, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
When his underlings spew hate about the Golden State on Fox News and social media?
—Gustavo Arellano, Mercury News, 22 Aug. 2025
Recast versions of his Romulan underlings also appear on the bridge of his Bird of Prey.
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 15 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for underling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underling
Noun
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The maker of brands such as KitKat and Nesquik named Navratil its new CEO last month after dismissing long-time company executive Laurent Frexie, who served as chief executive for one year before an undisclosed romantic relationship with a subordinate came to light.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
16 Oct. 2025
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Laurent Freixe was dismissed for failing to disclose a romantic relationship with a direct subordinate, which breached Nestlé’s code of business conduct.—
Ana Nicolaci da Costa,
CNN Money,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
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His henchmen quickly followed suit.—
Danny Makki,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
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Over eight episodes, the brothers find themselves at the mercy of Mancuso — a former family friend — and his vicious henchmen, and they are forced to confront the emotional scars of growing up with an alcoholic father, who had gambled away his own restaurant.—
Max Gao,
HollywoodReporter,
21 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Others wore inflatable costumes, dressed as bumble bees, frogs, unicorns and a even minion.—
Vivian Jones,
Nashville Tennessean,
18 Oct. 2025
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Cederquist is one of scores of bad cops included in the book, as is one of his minions in the Stoughton crew, a guy named Calvin Butner.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
15 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Underling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underling. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
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