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
Josh Wood, The Courier-Journal, 20 Dec. 2024
The social critique was still in there but subordinate to these rich, comically flawed characters, each getting something like their own book.
—Adam Moss, Vulture, 25 Nov. 2024
David Faris, Newsweek, 28 Dec. 2024
The subordinate, sensing her intrigue, cheekily counters by shaming her afternoon caffeine habits.
—Fawnia Soo Hoo, refinery29.com, 25 Dec. 2024
Steve Denning, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2024
Rebecca has found the one social forum that doesn’t bite back, that subordinates judgment to context and compassion.
—Marc Weingarten, The Atlantic, 23 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for subordinate 
Adjective
Trager did not respond to questions from The Courier Journal about whether the mayor had watched videos of the pregnant woman receiving a citation or of Stewart's subordinate using force on the man at the downtown hotel.
—Josh Wood, The Courier-Journal, 20 Dec. 2024
The social critique was still in there but subordinate to these rich, comically flawed characters, each getting something like their own book.
—Adam Moss, Vulture, 25 Nov. 2024
Noun
Such lawlessness subjects you and your subordinates to significant risk of criminal and civil liability.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 28 Dec. 2024
The subordinate, sensing her intrigue, cheekily counters by shaming her afternoon caffeine habits.
—Fawnia Soo Hoo, refinery29.com, 25 Dec. 2024
Verb
It can only be attained by subordinating the system, processes, tools, techniques, and frameworks to human values, mindsets, caring, feeling, and culture that firms can inspire energy, enthusiasm, creativity and innovativeness.
—Steve Denning, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2024
Rebecca has found the one social forum that doesn’t bite back, that subordinates judgment to context and compassion.
—Marc Weingarten, The Atlantic, 23 Sep. 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
-
Instead, Guillermo’s boss turned out to be something far more common: just a regular old selfish human willing to take advantage of an ambitious but naive underling.—
Katie Rife,
Vulture,
10 Dec. 2024
-
Trump, never one to be burdened by details, has been more than happy to look at the big-picture goals and leave the annoyances to underlings.—
Philip Elliott,
TIME,
12 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
The rule has subjected those assets to strict capital requirements, significantly raising the financial and regulatory risks of offering crypto custody services.—
MacKenzie Sigalos,
CNBC,
24 Jan. 2025
-
In a ruling that will ripple across digital media, the U.S. Supreme Court has upheld a law effectively subjecting TikTok to a national ban Sunday.—
Winston Cho,
The Hollywood Reporter,
17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
My understanding is that Rantanen was willing to take less than what a July 1 market number looked like to stay in Colorado, but even so, his number was not in the same realm as where the Avs were.—
Pierre LeBrun,
The Athletic,
25 Jan. 2025
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The following varieties of cacti can go a few weeks between waterings, aren't fazed by dry indoor air, and need less sun than most other cacti.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
He doesn’t seem driven by demons or a need to dominate anyone.—
Vinson Cunningham,
The New Yorker,
25 Jan. 2025
-
The two stars have figured out how to complement each other, using their respective strengths to dominate opponents.—
Brian Sampson,
Forbes,
24 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Payne also had a couple weeks off as a junior because doctors went back in and removed several screws from the original surgery that gave him discomfort.—
Rick Armstrong,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Jan. 2025
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Penn, who served as a team captain for Carroll as a junior, has tallied 2,740 all-purpose yards and 50 touchdowns in his high school career.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Old tires were set ablaze beneath it and the fire department was called to subdue the flames, and the mob.—
Mary Logan Bikoff,
New York Times,
18 Jan. 2025
-
The money will benefit first responders — who are still working to subdue the catastrophic flames in multiple parts of L.A. — as well as many of the tens of thousands of residents who have been displaced from their homes due to evacuation orders around the city.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
17 Jan. 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
-
Lower gas demand amid increasing supply has led to lower pump prices.—
Frank Witsil,
Detroit Free Press,
19 June 2023
Thesaurus Entries Near subordinate
Cite this Entry
“Subordinate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subordinate. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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