subordinate 1 of 3

adjective

sə-ˈbȯr-də-nət How to pronounce subordinate (audio)
Definition of subordinatenext
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

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subordinate

2 of 3

noun

sə-ˈbȯr-də-nət How to pronounce subordinate (audio)
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

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subordinate

3 of 3

verb

sə-ˈbȯr-də-ˌnāt How to pronounce subordinate (audio)
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

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of subordinate
Adjective
Three — able seaman William Orren, Boy 1st Class David Young and subordinate officers' steward John Bridgens — had been aboard the HMS Erebus. — Kerry Breen, CBS News, 14 May 2026 There were four on each of the two ships in the Franklin expedition, with the best candidates being Thomas Armitage, gunroom steward, or William Gibson, subordinate officers’ steward, both of whom served on the HMS Terror. — ArsTechnica, 8 May 2026
Noun
Put simply, the theory says the president should be able to issue orders to subordinates and to fire them at will. — Graham G. Dodds, The Conversation, 30 June 2026 In April 2025, Vaden allegedly received an anonymous letter at her home bearing the Elk Grove Police Department’s return address that discussed Davis’ relationship with the subordinate. — Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 19 June 2026
Verb
Top Boomer leaders surrounded themselves with people who would subordinate themselves entirely to the boss’s vision — loyalists, not heirs. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 25 May 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for subordinate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subordinate
  1. lesser
  2. underling
  3. subject
  4. less
  5. junior
  6. dominate
  7. lower
  8. inferior
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
Definition of lesser
Noun
  • Rumors of relationships between executives and underlings went around on campus.
    — Claire Stapleton, New Yorker, 18 July 2026
  • France’s Annecy International Animation Film Festival gets underway this weekend with Illumination’s Minions & Monsters, the latest movie devoted to the mischievous army of yellow underlings first introduced in 2010 breakout Despicable Me.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 19 June 2026
Definition of underling
Verb
  • Delta Upsilon was removed from KU’s campus in 2018 after fraternity members were found to have violated the student code by subjecting prospective members to sleep deprivation, physical violence and forced alcohol consumption.
    — Cuyler Dunn, Kansas City Star, 29 July 2026
  • One of the victims told investigators Pinder and James subjected them to hazing, according to the warrant.
    — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 27 July 2026
Definition of subject
Adjective
  • Its pilots fly with SkyBreathe software that adjusts routes and flight profiles in real time to burn less fuel, and the airline flew one A350 delivery leg from Singapore on a 40 percent blend of sustainable aviation fuel.
    — Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • In the Netherlands and neighboring Germany cargo ships that ply the Rhine and its offshoots have been forced to carry significantly less freight or risk running aground in shallow navigation channels.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of less
Noun
  • In this exclusive 90-minute interview with Rolling Stone, the soon-to-be high school juniors are smart, poised, and funny.
    — Jae-Ha Kim, Rolling Stone, 29 July 2026
  • Vincent Shields, a 6-5, 285-pound junior from Murrieta Valley, is gaining traction as an improving blocker and top college prospect.
    — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 27 July 2026
Definition of junior
Verb
  • Guest rooms maintain straight lines, dominated by the imposing headboard and neutral colors.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Penta dominated Gable with a barrage of offense, including a dive to the outside and a Made in Japan for a two count.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of dominate
Adjective
  • Despite those lower court rulings, the practice has continued nationally, said Gregory Chen, the senior director of government relations for the Immigration Lawyers Association.
    — Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 3 Sep. 2025
  • 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
Definition of lower
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
Definition of inferior

Browse Nearby Words

suboptimal
subordinate
subordinated
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Cite this Entry

“Subordinate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subordinate. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of subordinate for Spanish Speakers

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