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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of underling
Federal prosecutors say Katzin ran a ring of drug dealers who peddled fentanyl, methamphetamine and heroin to customers throughout the city and Sklar was one of her underlings.
—
Roni Jacobson, New York Daily News, 3 Feb. 2026
And so the familiar, awkward family dynamics are established, right down to Rosamund and Posy's haughty demeanor towards their step-sister/underling.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026
One of her underlings, an eager-beaver new recruit (George MacKay) in the records department, is the case manager.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 26 Jan. 2026
That film spawned irrationally confident underlings.
—Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for underling
Roni Jacobson, New York Daily News, 3 Feb. 2026
And so the familiar, awkward family dynamics are established, right down to Rosamund and Posy's haughty demeanor towards their step-sister/underling.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026
One of her underlings, an eager-beaver new recruit (George MacKay) in the records department, is the case manager.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 26 Jan. 2026
That film spawned irrationally confident underlings.
—Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for underling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underling
Noun
-
She was accused of misbehavior that included mismanaging the budget, failing to carry out personnel instructions and ordering a subordinate to spy by Palmer’s legally privileged email correspondence.—
Edmund H. Mahony,
Hartford Courant,
6 Feb. 2026
-
As the rebels closed in on Damascus on December 7, 2024, Assad reassured his aides and subordinates that victory was near, and then fled in the night on a Russian jet, telling almost no one.—
Robert F. Worth,
The Atlantic,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Ben, flanked by his henchmen, was seen as formidable and dangerous.—
Thomas Morgan,
The Conversation,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Nicholas Mongiardo-Cooper’s Beadle Bamford, the judge’s henchman, has a malicious ebullience all his own.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Instead, his minions, so afraid of earning his wrath, have remained quiet.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Ackie mostly barks orders at her minions to go get him, while Nighy in his home plays the bad guy demanding blood.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Underling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underling. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
