as in subordinates
one who is of lower rank and typically under the authority of another
the real estate tycoon has a whole army of underlings to attend to the details
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of underlings
Perhaps Rose was a decoy wife, so people in the Vault didn’t catch on to whatever mysterious plans Hank and Stephanie had for their underlings.
—
Barry Levitt, Time, 4 Feb. 2026
If Walden decides to elevate one of her underlings to co-chair of Disney Entertainment, there are several strong contenders from which to choose.
—Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2026
In nondemocratic regimes, senior officials wall themselves off from reality because their underlings are afraid to deliver bad news.
—Donald Moynihan, The Atlantic, 3 Feb. 2026
Federal prosecutors say Katzin ran a ring of drug dealers who peddled fentanyl, methamphetamine and heroin to customers throughout the city and Sklar was one of her underlings.
—Roni Jacobson, New York Daily News, 3 Feb. 2026
Providing some respite from the violent mayhem are scenes in which Manafort stares intently at computer screens tracking what’s going on and the new MI6 chief (Ackie) barks orders at her underlings.
—Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 28 Jan. 2026
One of her underlings, an eager-beaver new recruit (George MacKay) in the records department, is the case manager.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 26 Jan. 2026
That film spawned irrationally confident underlings.
—Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
What began as a humorous meme page capturing the daily struggle of entertainment underlings evolved into a multi-platform media company and educational ecosystem.
—Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 10 Dec. 2025
Barry Levitt, Time, 4 Feb. 2026
If Walden decides to elevate one of her underlings to co-chair of Disney Entertainment, there are several strong contenders from which to choose.
—Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2026
In nondemocratic regimes, senior officials wall themselves off from reality because their underlings are afraid to deliver bad news.
—Donald Moynihan, The Atlantic, 3 Feb. 2026
Federal prosecutors say Katzin ran a ring of drug dealers who peddled fentanyl, methamphetamine and heroin to customers throughout the city and Sklar was one of her underlings.
—Roni Jacobson, New York Daily News, 3 Feb. 2026
Providing some respite from the violent mayhem are scenes in which Manafort stares intently at computer screens tracking what’s going on and the new MI6 chief (Ackie) barks orders at her underlings.
—Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 28 Jan. 2026
One of her underlings, an eager-beaver new recruit (George MacKay) in the records department, is the case manager.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 26 Jan. 2026
That film spawned irrationally confident underlings.
—Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
What began as a humorous meme page capturing the daily struggle of entertainment underlings evolved into a multi-platform media company and educational ecosystem.
—Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 10 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underlings
Noun
-
As the rebels closed in on Damascus on December 7, 2024, Assad reassured his aides and subordinates that victory was near, and then fled in the night on a Russian jet, telling almost no one.—
Robert F. Worth,
The Atlantic,
6 Feb. 2026
-
In 2024, Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas left Wasserman Music for WME shortly after a Daily Mail report alleged Wasserman had engaged in inappropriate relationships with multiple female subordinates.—
Hattie Lindert,
Pitchfork,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Instead, his minions, so afraid of earning his wrath, have remained quiet.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Ackie mostly barks orders at her minions to go get him, while Nighy in his home plays the bad guy demanding blood.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Ben, flanked by his henchmen, was seen as formidable and dangerous.—
Thomas Morgan,
The Conversation,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Also newly attached to Write to Kill are Simon Newton and Mike Wood, who will play henchmen.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
4 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Underlings.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underlings. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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