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
These reforms, however, remain embedded in a judiciary that is subordinate to Communist Party leadership. — Mark Jia, Foreign Affairs, 7 Aug. 2026 The Allies replied that all elements of the Japanese state would be subordinate to occupation authorities. — Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 5 Aug. 2026
Noun
Putin has also protected his direct allies while not extending any such shield to younger subordinates. — Julian G. Waller, Foreign Affairs, 7 Aug. 2026 The supporting figures are colorful enough, though Akkabi’s sneering chief villain arguably makes less of an impression than his subordinates. — Dennis Harvey, Variety, 26 July 2026
Verb
Craftsmanship was stripped away, and the pace of labor was subordinated to the line itself. — Christopher Marquis, Time, 30 May 2026 No matter how much someone disagrees with recent decisions by the high court, threatening to subordinate judicial independence to the whims of a political party befits a banana republic. — Washington Post Editorial Board, Twin Cities, 29 May 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
  • If Pangram’s tools are accurate, 260 out of 310 people who published guest articles in the NYT, WSJ, and Washington Post did it entirely with their own brains (or perhaps the brains of an underling).
    — Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Scarface doesn’t just bark orders at his underlings but browbeats the whimpering Ventriloquist, giving him that warped double personality that made older characters like Two-Face so alluring.
    — Daniel Dockery, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of underling
Verb
  • The Big Ten’s ruling earlier Tuesday announced that a violation of the rules would subject a head coach to suspension for 50% of remaining games plus an undisclosed fine.
    — Mike Griffith, AJC.com, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The team would put the players up in hotel rooms with two beds, subjecting Freeman to the incessant clicking of Heyward texting.
    — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of subject
Adjective
  • And some of the outlook may have less to do with the immediate issues and more about life stage.
    — R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The delicate shape still nods to classic ballet flats, but the slight heel gives everything a little more polish, making the pairing feel less Sunday lunch with your nan and more Copenhagen Fashion Week.
    — Georgia Brown, Glamour, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of less
Noun
  • Peak became a starter at right tackle as a redshirt freshman before moving to the left side as a junior in 2025.
    — Dane Brugler, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Julian and Jaden, who is about two years his junior, are both former child basketball prodigies.
    — Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of junior
Verb
  • The crude market remains dominated by state producers, major energy companies, commodity merchants and large industrial consumers whose activity dwarfs that of individual traders.
    — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026
  • All-white kitchens, another style that uses one color to dominate a room, came in at number four for the most controversial decor trend.
    — Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 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
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Subordinate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subordinate. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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