as in subordinates
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 underlings
Like his Washington, Bargatze’s Farnsworth regaled a trio of underlings (SNL cast members Bowen Yang, Mikey Day, and James Austin Johnson) with ridiculous yet accurate predictions for the future, in this case of TV.
—
Judy Berman, Time, 15 Sep. 2025
Although the underlings complained about my methods, the cartel leaders, like Pedro and his boss, El Viejo, a key deputy of Pablo Escobar, were on my side.
—Martin Suarez, Rolling Stone, 13 Sep. 2025
When his underlings spew hate about the Golden State on Fox News and social media?
—Gustavo Arellano, Mercury News, 22 Aug. 2025
Judy Berman, Time, 15 Sep. 2025
Although the underlings complained about my methods, the cartel leaders, like Pedro and his boss, El Viejo, a key deputy of Pablo Escobar, were on my side.
—Martin Suarez, Rolling Stone, 13 Sep. 2025
When his underlings spew hate about the Golden State on Fox News and social media?
—Gustavo Arellano, Mercury News, 22 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underlings
Noun
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Starting in December of that year, a number of Starovoit’s former colleagues and subordinates were implicated in embezzlement of military funds—including 19 billion rubles (around $250 million) that had been allocated for defenses along the Ukrainian border.—
ANDREI KOLESNIKOV,
Foreign Affairs,
8 Sep. 2025
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Participants would complete a physical fitness test, have their body fat measured, undergo a psychological evaluation, receive leadership evaluations from former peers and subordinates, and complete verbal and written communication assessments.—
Davis Winkie,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
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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
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Vex can use that energy to empower herself, or channel it to conjure deadly minions that fight alongside her.—
Griff Griffin,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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At the end of the episode, tragedy strikes when Robbie’s latest robbery ends in one of his henchmen and all of the drug house’s attendants dying.—
Grace Byron,
Vulture,
8 Sep. 2025
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The citizens of Venezuela don't deserve to live under the tyrannical rule of Maduro or any of his henchmen!—
Dan Gooding
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Underlings.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underlings. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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