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
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Recent Examples of underlings
That’s striking, considering that execs tend to be far more enthusiastic about the tech compared to their underlings.
—
Frank Landymore, Futurism, 19 Feb. 2026
Despite the scary Instagram post, gang leader Lamar Williams was still convicted this month of a 2013 murder in the Bronx, and the two underlings accused of trying to keep him out of prison could wind up joining him.
—Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 18 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
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
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
Providing some respite from the violent mayhem are scenes in which Manafort stares intently at computer screens tracking what’s going on and the new MI6 chief (Ackie) barks orders at her underlings.
—Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 28 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
Frank Landymore, Futurism, 19 Feb. 2026
Despite the scary Instagram post, gang leader Lamar Williams was still convicted this month of a 2013 murder in the Bronx, and the two underlings accused of trying to keep him out of prison could wind up joining him.
—Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 18 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
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
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
Providing some respite from the violent mayhem are scenes in which Manafort stares intently at computer screens tracking what’s going on and the new MI6 chief (Ackie) barks orders at her underlings.
—Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 28 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underlings
Noun
-
In 2024, Ronnie Reese, Johnson’s first press secretary, kept his job for months after harassment allegations were lodged against him by female subordinates.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Hegseth has created a command climate in which subordinates might fear defending their educational programs.—
Kori Schake,
The Atlantic,
22 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Noem’s minions would defy and frustrate federal judges seeking basic information from DHS about the department’s compliance with court orders.—
Clarence Page,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Instead, his minions, so afraid of earning his wrath, have remained quiet.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Researchers argued that career anxiety under autocracy creates both pro-regime henchmen and anti-regime plotters.—
Rafil Kroll-Zaidi,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
-
The global Jewish community is now an active front in the warfare of the Middle East — the war against the Iranian regime, and the war against its henchmen, the Houthis, Hamas, and Hezbollah.—
Joshua M. Davidson,
New York Daily News,
22 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Underlings.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underlings. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.
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