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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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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
-
Analysts say the campaign is also a way for Xi, who is in his 14th year in power, to remove potential rivals and ensure absolute loyalty among his subordinates.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Li Gang / Xinhua News Agency / AP Analysts say the campaign is also a way for Xi, who is in his 14th year in power, to remove potential rivals and ensure absolute loyalty among his subordinates.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
7 Mar. 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
Noun
-
At his orders, cartel henchmen began setting fire to vehicles, gas stations and government buildings and blockaded major highways.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
24 Feb. 2026
-
During the ensuing gun battle between soldiers and cartel henchmen, Oseguera escaped.—
Kate Linthicum,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Underlings.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underlings. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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