SUBORDINATES Synonyms: 92 Similar and Opposite Words

subordinates 1 of 2

noun

plural of subordinate

as in underlings

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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subordinates

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of subordinate

as in subjects

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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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 subordinates

Noun

Many Hindus today identify as Shaivas, Vaishnavas, or Shaktas, sectarian groups that, respectively, worship Shiva, Vishnu, or Shakti as supreme, with all other deities considered as manifestations or subordinates. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026 The judge found that the three did, in fact, violate the charter, which states that council members may not interfere with appointments or removals in the city manager’s office, or give orders to the city manager’s subordinates. — Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026 More broadly, struggling to name specific contributions by others even when specifically prompted to do so or remaining vague about developing subordinates are flags that the candidate may engage in toxic patterns. — Harvard Business Review, 24 Aug. 2026 Impressive Humility with peers, and something else entirely with subordinates. — Mary Crossan, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026 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 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 Another maintenance officer months later reported Brady to the Massachusetts State Ethics Commission for having subordinates perform work at his private residence. — Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 10 June 2026

Verb

China subordinates the goal of improving foreign populations’ health outcomes to establishing dependency on its medical tech. — Hana Kiros, The Atlantic, 3 Feb. 2026 Disturbing contemporary audiences, the resulting superintelligence subordinates all human individuals — absorbing them as mere neurons in its global cortex. — Thomas Moynihan, Big Think, 20 Aug. 2025 Gael García Bernal brilliantly subordinates his stardom to Diaz’s discerning camera, disappearing into the role of the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, who, at the start of the 16th century, navigated a crew to Southeast Asia after convincing the Spanish crown to fund his journey. — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 5 Aug. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for subordinates

Noun

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
Rumors of relationships between executives and underlings went around on campus.

— Claire Stapleton, New Yorker, 18 July 2026

Definition of underlings

Verb

The ordinance subjects anyone breaking the rule to a $100 fine for each violation, along with all of the restoration costs associated with the damage.

— Jack Albright, jsonline.com, 14 Aug. 2026
Then founder and master distiller Joe McGirr subjects his spirit to a vapor chamber chockablock with even more juniper.

— Brad Japhe, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

Definition of subjects

Noun

One of the senior henchmen of right-wing Christian politics saw this dangerous transformation unfolding from the inside.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 25 Aug. 2026
While Sanji and Chopper fight off various henchmen, Luffy battles Wapol and eventually beats him with Sanj’s help.

— Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of henchmen

Verb

In person, Huang subdues his ironic braggadocio with polite eye contact and rolling belly laughs at his own jokes.

— Mariella Rudi, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
El Nino also subdues the hurricane season in the Atlantic because there is so much heat in the Pacific that outcompetes the Atlantic, Berardelli added.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 May 2026