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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of underling
Both Freedman and Wallace are mentioned in a text exchange between Nathan and the underling, which is now an exhibit in yet another ongoing Hollywood courtroom drama between actress Rebel Wilson and producer Amanda Ghost.
—
Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 11 Feb. 2026
If Walden decides to elevate one of her underlings to co-chair of Disney Entertainment, there are several strong contenders from which to choose.
—Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2026
Perhaps Rose was a decoy wife, so people in the Vault didn’t catch on to whatever mysterious plans Hank and Stephanie had for their underlings.
—Barry Levitt, Time, 4 Feb. 2026
In nondemocratic regimes, senior officials wall themselves off from reality because their underlings are afraid to deliver bad news.
—Donald Moynihan, The Atlantic, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for underling
Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 11 Feb. 2026
If Walden decides to elevate one of her underlings to co-chair of Disney Entertainment, there are several strong contenders from which to choose.
—Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2026
Perhaps Rose was a decoy wife, so people in the Vault didn’t catch on to whatever mysterious plans Hank and Stephanie had for their underlings.
—Barry Levitt, Time, 4 Feb. 2026
In nondemocratic regimes, senior officials wall themselves off from reality because their underlings are afraid to deliver bad news.
—Donald Moynihan, The Atlantic, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for underling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underling
Noun
-
Gonzales admitted in March to an affair with a subordinate who later died by suicide.—
Caitlin Yilek,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
-
His dismissal of General Randy George, the Army’s chief of staff early in his term, along with two subordinates, was without precedent.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The same is true of Sonny and Sal, his high-strung henchman.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
2 Apr. 2026
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That is, until Krypto is poisoned by the henchmen of villain Krem of the Yellow Hills, with only three days to save him.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Nobody wanted to go there — well, except the oil and gas companies aching to root around for black gold, and their most loyal minions in high places.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Apr. 2026
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Israel is also a part of the ceasefire but was subjected to a last-minute barrage of missile attacks today from Iran and its minions.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
7 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Underling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underling. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
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