as in subordinates
one who is of lower rank and typically under the authority of another
she is nice to her inferiors as well as to her superiors
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Recent Examples of inferiors
That comes to the Philippines in the form of war, as well as through the invocation, or establishment, of American-style modes of government and education that place Filipinos along this racial hierarchy, identifying them as these inferiors that need to be taught how to govern themselves.
—
Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inferiors
Noun
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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
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Hegseth has created a command climate in which subordinates might fear defending their educational programs.—
Kori Schake,
The Atlantic,
22 Mar. 2026
Noun
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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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Inferiors.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inferiors. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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