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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 6 Feb. 2025
For many, the thrill of these stories, especially in the romance genre, is that heroines no longer derive power directly from their relationships with men and in turn they are not seen as subordinate to hero’s goals.
—Rebecca Scofield / Made By History, TIME, 21 Jan. 2025
Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2025
Washington wrote the letter in May 1777 in reply to a concerned subordinate, who had updated him about the dire state of affairs in Connecticut.
—Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Feb. 2025
The Editors, National Review, 13 Dec. 2024
Yet their dangerously unquestioned need to counter or even beat China in region after region across the globe is not only reactionary but also subordinates U.S. interests to a fight that drains resources and goodwill while foreclosing opportunities for cooperation and peaceful coexistence.
—Nancy Okail, Foreign Affairs, 3 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for subordinate
Adjective
Annoyed by her subordinate role at Atelier (though she’s had the job for less than six months), Kriska boldly declares that Monica is self-centered.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 6 Feb. 2025
For many, the thrill of these stories, especially in the romance genre, is that heroines no longer derive power directly from their relationships with men and in turn they are not seen as subordinate to hero’s goals.
—Rebecca Scofield / Made By History, TIME, 21 Jan. 2025
Noun
In April 2021, state prosecutors said, Teran sent court records related to roughly three dozen deputies to a subordinate to evaluate for possible inclusion in internal databases that prosecutors use to track officers accused of dishonesty and other misconduct.
—Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2025
Washington wrote the letter in May 1777 in reply to a concerned subordinate, who had updated him about the dire state of affairs in Connecticut.
—Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Feb. 2025
Verb
Ending the pursuit of Haim would be a worthy message to the nation and to Harmeet Dhillon’s Civil Rights Division subordinates that there’s a new sheriff in town.
—The Editors, National Review, 13 Dec. 2024
Yet their dangerously unquestioned need to counter or even beat China in region after region across the globe is not only reactionary but also subordinates U.S. interests to a fight that drains resources and goodwill while foreclosing opportunities for cooperation and peaceful coexistence.
—Nancy Okail, Foreign Affairs, 3 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for subordinate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subordinate
Adjective
-
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
-
The story of 2022 (and 2021 to a lesser extent) was energy.—
Nicole Goodkind,
CNN,
31 Jan. 2023
Noun
-
The new emails are also intended to allow supervisors to get a better understanding of underlings’ work and help align different agencies.—
Brady Knox,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
28 Feb. 2025
-
May Be the Way to Stop Trump and Musk | Opinion A court could order Trump or an underling to appear for a contempt of court hearing, but an underling is more likely to show up.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
11 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Throughout her childhood, Dee Dee subjected her Gypsy-Rose to years of painful medical procedures that were not needed.—
Angel Saunders,
People.com,
28 Feb. 2025
-
Book said the Homeless Trust has been pursuing the partnerships to increase bed capacity and ensure compliance with a new state law that subjects local governments to lawsuits for letting people sleep on the streets.—
Aaron Leibowitz,
Miami Herald,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Fresh indicators showed that consumers spent less than expected during the inclement January weather and exports were weak, which led to the downgrade.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
3 Mar. 2025
-
Yet the Coaster today has less than half as many riders as the Sprinter, with just under 853,000 boardings in fiscal 2024.—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The Yankees dominated Saturday against the Houston Astros, winning 9-3.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
2 Mar. 2025
-
Honestly, Nevermind dominated in 2022 with 204,000 units.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes,
2 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Arakawa, three decades Hackman’s junior, was a classical pianist.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN,
2 Mar. 2025
-
The two reacquainted when Williams, a native of Kansas City, Mo., transferred to Country Day as a junior.—
Noah Perkins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Canada’s democracy has frayed and strained in the years since, but always held—Quebec’s independence movement was subdued by real concessions from the rest of the provinces, for instance.—
Bill McKibben,
The New Yorker,
7 Mar. 2025
-
He was subdued after an officer fired a beanbag round, striking Hermanson and allowing police to arrest him.—
Clifford Ward,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
Lower gas demand amid increasing supply has led to lower pump prices.—
Frank Witsil,
Detroit Free Press,
19 June 2023
Cite this Entry
“Subordinate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subordinate. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share