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
Also, Jimmy discovers while covering for Kayla on the set of her Lassie remake that Kayla is still terrorizing her underlings; very curious to see if/when that’s going to blow up in everyone’s faces.
—
Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 16 May 2025
In the mornings, some managers might even dispatch an underling to scout a location for picnicking later on and proceed to give that person part of the day off.
—Kholood Eid, New York Times, 2 May 2025
The 18-month program was like a scene out of The Bear, with abusive head chefs berating their underlings.
—John Hyatt, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025
Everyone, apart from underlings such as housekeeper Mary (Jackie Clune), are dressed immaculately enough to grace the cover of pre-war Vogue.
—Jon O'Brien, IndieWire, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for underling
Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 16 May 2025
In the mornings, some managers might even dispatch an underling to scout a location for picnicking later on and proceed to give that person part of the day off.
—Kholood Eid, New York Times, 2 May 2025
The 18-month program was like a scene out of The Bear, with abusive head chefs berating their underlings.
—John Hyatt, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025
Everyone, apart from underlings such as housekeeper Mary (Jackie Clune), are dressed immaculately enough to grace the cover of pre-war Vogue.
—Jon O'Brien, IndieWire, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for underling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underling
Noun
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Another supervisor acknowledged yelling at a subordinate who hadn't listened to instructions.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
6 June 2025
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Read More Jail official forces subordinates to perform free labor at his MA home, feds say In Massachusetts, Thomas Brady, a former jail official, is accused of forcing employees to perform free labor at his home, according to federal prosecutors.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
31 May 2025
Noun
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Before her family arrives, Bree tries to shoot Grady, but once Grady’s henchman captures Diller, she’s forced to make a choice: drop the gun or watch her son die.—
Keith Langston,
People.com,
21 June 2025
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In a moment of sly genius, Duke gained entry by concealing himself as one of Lyle’s ghostly henchmen using a rubber band and a piece of white tissue as his disguise.—
Hazlitt,
Hazlitt,
18 June 2025
Noun
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Negan banished him and seized control of the Dama’s minions.—
Charlie Mason,
TVLine,
8 June 2025
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Eve’s drive for revenge also is a problem for the Ruska Roma, as The Director long has enjoyed an agreement with The Chancellor that neither’s minions will interfere with the other’s.—
Mark Meszoros,
Boston Herald,
6 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Underling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underling. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
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