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
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Recent Examples of subordinate
David W. Lawson, The Conversation, 21 Oct. 2025
The Moldovan Orthodox Church, which is subordinate to Moscow, has also echoed Kremlin talking points, warning congregants that EU membership would destroy traditions and family values.
—Dan Perry, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Sep. 2025
NPR, 3 Dec. 2025
The order must be directed specifically to the subordinate.
—Christa Swanson, CBS News, 22 Nov. 2025
Oliver Stuenkel, Foreign Affairs, 18 Nov. 2025
However, the deeds that were supposed to to secure the loans were ultimately subordinated without CB&T’s knowledge, Zions said in the lawsuit.
—Leslie Picker, CNBC, 18 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for subordinate
Adjective
Indeed, allowing men but not women to have multiple spouses is clearly unequal and entwined with patriarchal ideology that positions women as subordinate or inferior to men.
—Noun
Yoon and many subordinates face prosecution Within days, law enforcement started investigating Yoon on charges of insurrection.
—Verb
Although China is eager to use BRICS as a platform to expand its influence and advertise its governance model, other members remain wary of subordinating their interests to Beijing’s ambitions.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for subordinate
Adjective
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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.—
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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.—
Noun
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That film spawned irrationally confident underlings.—
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As of this week, thanks to the egocentric exertions of the current President and his obedient underlings and friends, the place has been renamed the Donald J. Trump and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.—
Verb
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Perpetrators used deception to move them across country borders and subjected them to harm under the pretense of employment.—
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From there, lab directors select the wells with the highest concentrations of each virus, subjecting a reserved portion to further genetic analysis, which shows which subtype of each virus is present.—
Adjective
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Each clever accessory is under $15 — that’s less than the cost of a sandwich special at my favorite deli.—
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Citizens Utility Board expressed outrage at the request, noting the increase would push the utility's total rate increases to more than $1 billion in less than a decade.—
Noun
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Rianna Bernal, who was third in last year’s state meet at 125 pounds while a junior at Lemoore High, transferred to Marina.—
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The junior ran for 133 yards on 22 carries — averaging 6 yards per rush.—
Verb
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On the other hand, the Panthers haven’t truly been able to establish the run in a month, and that was the key to dominating the possession battle and keeping the ball away from Sean McVay’s offense.—
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While energy and transportation dominate the conversation, factory farming remains a leading source of greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, water pollution and biodiversity loss.—
Verb
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Nazism’s total domination politically and socially found an aesthetic counterpart in the visual reduction of bodies to things, ecstatically subdued before the hypnotic power of a leader, force, or sublime beauty.—
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Barack Obama also availed himself of caution, reluctance and NATO partners to use air power to subdue chaos on the ground in Libya.—
Adjective
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And ultimately, the Supreme Court overruled those lower court rulings and did declare the embryos as children qualifying under the wrongful death statute.—
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Lower gas demand amid increasing supply has led to lower pump prices.—
Cite this Entry
“Subordinate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subordinate. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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