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
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
Fierstein's character works at a New York City cable company, where his underling, the genius played by Goldblum, first pieces together that the signal sent among the alien ships all perched over Earth's major landmarks is actually a countdown.
—Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 4 July 2025
Back in 2015, the publication reported that cartels had employed hacker crews to set up a secure network for bosses and underlings to use.
—Thomas Brewster, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for underling
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
Fierstein's character works at a New York City cable company, where his underling, the genius played by Goldblum, first pieces together that the signal sent among the alien ships all perched over Earth's major landmarks is actually a countdown.
—Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 4 July 2025
Back in 2015, the publication reported that cartels had employed hacker crews to set up a secure network for bosses and underlings to use.
—Thomas Brewster, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for underling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underling
Noun
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For instance, Gilbert was into extreme weather, Kelly said, and had subordinates brief him on terms such as bombogenesis.—
Stefan Fatsis,
The Atlantic,
13 Sep. 2025
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In pursuing first the transport minister’s former subordinates and then the man himself, Putin was deploying a strategy that has also been seen elsewhere, including at the defense ministry.—
ANDREI KOLESNIKOV,
Foreign Affairs,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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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
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In broad daylight, a presidential henchman openly threatened to inflict financial pain in retribution for speech the leader doesn't like.—
Matt Robison,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Rapidly spreading its toxic influence across the lands, Magatsu and its minions are a world-ending threat, and the early tutorial bit sees players square up against the baddie only to ultimately lose.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
18 Sep. 2025
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What made Armani’s designs so appealing to Ovitz and his minions wasn’t just their confident power-suit cut.—
Benjamin Svetkey,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Underling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underling. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.
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