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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
Nonetheless, Etna and his fellow creatures understand their subordinate position in the hierarchy. — Rachel Vorona Cote, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026 The prosecutor noted Patten's cooperation, his good behavior while free awaiting his sentencing, and his subordinate role to the Cokers in the scheme. — Dan Mangan, CNBC, 21 July 2026
Noun
The episode has also elevated the political profile of Fedorov, who was once known primarily as the architect of Ukraine’s digital transformation and subordinate to Zelenskyy. — ABC News, 23 July 2026 Mayor Dean Trantalis, Commissioner Steven Glassman and Commissioner John Herbst took issue with her leadership, accusing her of being dismissive to subordinates and ruffling too many feathers. — Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 3 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
  • 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
  • Lebson alleged that Russian authorities have subjected Gilman to mistreatment, including harassment, forced exercise sessions lasting up to 16 hours and the administration of psychotropic drugs.
    — Margaret Brennan, CBS News, 6 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 subject
Adjective
  • This lounge set will give you one less headache on travel day.
    — Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 8 Aug. 2026
  • The lumberjacks had used their trucks to block access to the Quebec border in protest of Canadian loggers who were stealing their jobs by working for less.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of less
Noun
  • Each summer, the academy hosts rising high school sophomores and juniors and develops personal, intellectual and leadership skills.
    — Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Westfeldt is a year older than Hamm, while Osceola is 17 years his junior.
    — Martha Ross, Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of junior
Verb
  • Nigeria have dominated the continental competition since its inception and had never missed a semifinal in the tournament’s 35-year history.
    — Emily Olsen, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Chinese vendors dominate, shipping 97% of units, while Chinese buyers absorb 85% of demand.
    — John Koetsier, Forbes.com, 11 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

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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 15 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of subordinate for Spanish Speakers

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