as in lesser
having not so great importance or rank as another
his contention is that environment plays a subordinate role to heredity in determining what we become
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in underling
one who is of lower rank and typically under the authority of another
subordinates do most of the actual creation of the famous designer's clothing designs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to subject
to bring under one's control by force of arms
it is one of the lessons of history that more powerful civilizations often subordinate weaker ones
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of subordinate
Tracie Canada / Made By History, TIME, 1 Jan. 2025
Ross McHarg Photo: Bravo/Laurent Bassett/Bravo Bosun Below Deck Season 10
—
This bosun hooked up with subordinate Katie Glaser, then flirted with Alissa Humber and other women at the bar right under her nose.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 31 Dec. 2024
David Ingram, NBC News, 13 Feb. 2025
Now, their potential future subordinates could face similar loyalty tests.
—Caitlin Babcock, The Christian Science Monitor, 5 Feb. 2025
The Editors, National Review, 13 Dec. 2024
Yet their dangerously unquestioned need to counter or even beat China in region after region across the globe is not only reactionary but also subordinates U.S. interests to a fight that drains resources and goodwill while foreclosing opportunities for cooperation and peaceful coexistence.
—Nancy Okail, Foreign Affairs, 3 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for subordinate
Adjective
Despite a propaganda campaign encouraging all Americans to come together and do their part to defeat the Axis and totalitarianism, the U.S. military remained rigidly segregated with people of color subjugated into subordinate roles and Black soldiers discriminated against abroad and at home.
—Tracie Canada / Made By History, TIME, 1 Jan. 2025
Ross McHarg Photo: Bravo/Laurent Bassett/Bravo Bosun Below Deck Season 10
—
This bosun hooked up with subordinate Katie Glaser, then flirted with Alissa Humber and other women at the bar right under her nose.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 31 Dec. 2024
Noun
Musk, the head of DOGE, has dispatched subordinates throughout the government to radically overhaul or dismantle federal agencies with the backing of President Donald Trump.
—David Ingram, NBC News, 13 Feb. 2025
Now, their potential future subordinates could face similar loyalty tests.
—Caitlin Babcock, The Christian Science Monitor, 5 Feb. 2025
Verb
Ending the pursuit of Haim would be a worthy message to the nation and to Harmeet Dhillon’s Civil Rights Division subordinates that there’s a new sheriff in town.
—The Editors, National Review, 13 Dec. 2024
Yet their dangerously unquestioned need to counter or even beat China in region after region across the globe is not only reactionary but also subordinates U.S. interests to a fight that drains resources and goodwill while foreclosing opportunities for cooperation and peaceful coexistence.
—Nancy Okail, Foreign Affairs, 3 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for subordinate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subordinate
Adjective
-
Toronto’s Fred VanVleet appears to be the top target, but Miami’s Kyle Lowry, Utah’s Mike Conley and, perhaps to a lesser extent, Charlotte’s Terry Rozier have been linked to the team at various points.—
Staff Writer
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Feb. 2023
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The story of 2022 (and 2021 to a lesser extent) was energy.—
Nicole Goodkind,
CNN,
31 Jan. 2023
Noun
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While Elon Musk and his underlings demand budget cuts and layoffs across the federal government, funding for their agency — the Department of Government Efficiency — has soared to nearly $40 million, ProPublica found in a review of Office of Management and Budget records.—
Avi Asher-Schapiro,
ProPublica,
20 Feb. 2025
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The ensemble also includes Cal’s and widower Xavier’s kids; Xavier’s underlings; his boss (Krys Marshall), who was sleeping with Cal; and an influential member of Samantha’s entourage (Sarah Shahi) who, for unknown reasons, seems to believe Xavier is innocent.—
Judy Berman,
TIME,
24 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Throughout her childhood, Dee Dee subjected her Gypsy-Rose to years of painful medical procedures that were not needed.—
Angel Saunders,
People.com,
28 Feb. 2025
-
Book said the Homeless Trust has been pursuing the partnerships to increase bed capacity and ensure compliance with a new state law that subjects local governments to lawsuits for letting people sleep on the streets.—
Aaron Leibowitz,
Miami Herald,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Fresh indicators showed that consumers spent less than expected during the inclement January weather and exports were weak, which led to the downgrade.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
3 Mar. 2025
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Yet the Coaster today has less than half as many riders as the Sprinter, with just under 853,000 boardings in fiscal 2024.—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The Yankees dominated Saturday against the Houston Astros, winning 9-3.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
2 Mar. 2025
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Honestly, Nevermind dominated in 2022 with 204,000 units.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes,
2 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Arakawa, three decades Hackman’s junior, was a classical pianist.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN,
2 Mar. 2025
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The two reacquainted when Williams, a native of Kansas City, Mo., transferred to Country Day as a junior.—
Noah Perkins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 Mar. 2025
Verb
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As the film concludes, Dr. Cawley and Dr. Sheehan exchange a glance before Andrew (a.k.a. Teddy) is apprehended by guards, which indicates that he will be forced to undergo a lobotomy to subdue his violent behavior.—
Nicole Briese,
People.com,
19 Feb. 2025
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The pub is first and foremost a refuge from women, occasionally a place to display them, more often a scene of affirmation in the business of subduing them.—
Rachel Cusk,
Harper's Magazine,
19 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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And ultimately, the Supreme Court overruled those lower court rulings and did declare the embryos as children qualifying under the wrongful death statute.—
Dana Taylor,
USA TODAY,
1 Mar. 2024
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Lower gas demand amid increasing supply has led to lower pump prices.—
Frank Witsil,
Detroit Free Press,
19 June 2023
Cite this Entry
“Subordinate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subordinate. Accessed 5 Mar. 2025.
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