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
The role of Shell, ousted from his previous role running NBCUniversal after acknowledging an inappropriate relationship with an underling, has been controversial.
—
Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2025
What have prosecutors said about Diddy? Prosecutor Christy Slavik started to sum up the government’s case against Diddy just after 10 a.m., describing him as a ruthless lawbreaker who used an iron fist — and a network of eager underlings — to meet his every demand.
—Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 26 June 2025
But not enough communication could lead them to suspect that underlings were trying to run the country themselves.
—Joseph Torigian, Foreign Affairs, 23 June 2025
Walter does not conduct himself like George Steinbrenner, firing underlings seemingly at random.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for underling
Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2025
What have prosecutors said about Diddy? Prosecutor Christy Slavik started to sum up the government’s case against Diddy just after 10 a.m., describing him as a ruthless lawbreaker who used an iron fist — and a network of eager underlings — to meet his every demand.
—Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 26 June 2025
But not enough communication could lead them to suspect that underlings were trying to run the country themselves.
—Joseph Torigian, Foreign Affairs, 23 June 2025
Walter does not conduct himself like George Steinbrenner, firing underlings seemingly at random.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for underling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underling
Noun
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Former Pflugerville Police Chief Jason O’Malley pointed a gun at a subordinate inside a police building this year, according to a third-party investigation that spurred O'Malley and two commanders to exit the force.—
Dante Motley,
Austin American Statesman,
31 July 2025
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Why this is happening is clear from a radio intercept about a similar incident, shared with CNN, in which a Russian commander can clearly be heard ordering a subordinate be tied up in this way as punishment for desertion.—
Andrew Carey,
CNN Money,
28 July 2025
Noun
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Nina gets free just in time, only to find Saxton and Jim battling a ballet of bullets with Sal’s men — a firefight that gets Saxton’s blunt-force henchman Billy (Evan Jones) shot through the eye.—
Hunter Ingram,
Variety,
4 July 2025
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The wretched music alone is worth it, as is Victor Von Doom's henchman, who sounds like a little kid trying to impersonate Dracula.—
Jordan Hoffman,
EW.com,
25 July 2025
Noun
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This summer has already given ample evidence of how poorly Trump and his minions understand California.—
Thomas Elias,
Mercury News,
18 July 2025
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Trump and his minions have gone so far as to limit the Associated Press’ access to the White House in a petulant tantrum because the AP, like the rest of the world, refuses to accept his silly renaming of the Gulf of Mexico.—
John A. Ragosta,
Baltimore Sun,
27 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Underling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underling. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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