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
Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 8 May 2026
Yet the book medium, which favors the expository side of Paglen’s practice, can make his artworks feel subordinate to his research.
—Louis Bury, ARTnews.com, 1 May 2026
Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 May 2026
Maybe Aziraphale’s hope of using him to bring about peace on Earth, the part of the plan his subordinates seem to find most objectionable, isn’t so misplaced after all.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 13 May 2026
Tim Golden, ProPublica, 25 Feb. 2026
The brilliance of her artwork is many times subordinated to her biography.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for subordinate
Adjective
The researchers found that Ourry’s head was marked out in the artwork before it was properly painted, while Jersey’s head was not, suggesting that Jersey was not painted during a sitting, possibly because Jersey was regarded as subordinate, the trust said.
—Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 8 May 2026
Yet the book medium, which favors the expository side of Paglen’s practice, can make his artworks feel subordinate to his research.
—Louis Bury, ARTnews.com, 1 May 2026
Noun
Giovannini was forced to resign in 2022 following allegations of a relationship with a subordinate.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 May 2026
Maybe Aziraphale’s hope of using him to bring about peace on Earth, the part of the plan his subordinates seem to find most objectionable, isn’t so misplaced after all.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 13 May 2026
Verb
The reorganization also gives the White House and the Department of Homeland Security new authority to oversee transnational crime investigations, subordinating the DEA and federal prosecutors, who were central to the previous system.
—Tim Golden, ProPublica, 25 Feb. 2026
The brilliance of her artwork is many times subordinated to her biography.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for subordinate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subordinate
Adjective
-
Even lesser-scale incidents like the Varsity Blues college admissions scandal and the Volkswagen emissions scandal erode trust in the institutions that help make our society possible and push it forward.—
Lindsey Witmer Collins,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
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
Noun
-
Towards the end of the season, Chris relapses and starts using again, leading to a car crash that leaves him maimed, giving Tony no other option but to whack his underling.—
Austin Perry OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
10 June 2026
-
The film isn’t interested in the ethical issues of a boss sleeping with her underling or how exactly Jackie garnered such a vexing reputation.—
Angelica Jade Bastién,
Vulture,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
The Miami Herald has learned Gonzalez informed the mayor that the violation could potentially subject him to arrest, though Calvo ultimately received only civil citations and was not taken into custody.—
Verónica Egui Brito,
Miami Herald,
15 June 2026
-
To avoid subjecting yourself to heat stress, try to do most of your outdoor work in the early morning or at dusk when the weather is cooler.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 June 2026
Adjective
-
Research by the American Academy of Pediatrics shows that students who live in low-income neighborhoods and attend schools with higher proportions of students of color receive less recess time and lower quality recess.—
Cierra Morgan,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
-
The incident marks the second time in less than a month that the same section of pavement has required emergency engineering work.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
18 June 2026
Noun
-
Instead, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools gave rising juniors the opportunity to choose between remaining at their old school or switching to Ballantyne Ridge.—
Laura Horne,
Charlotte Observer,
16 June 2026
-
Idaho junior Constanze Paoli took 11th in the women’s steeplechase.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
Turkey dominated its opener, outshooting Australia 30-9, taking 51 touches in the penalty area and completing 90% of its 635 passes.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
-
South Africa is dominating possession (63% to 37%) and has made over 100 more accurate passes than Czechia.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
19 June 2026
Adjective
-
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
Noun
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Subordinate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subordinate. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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