SUBORDINATE Synonyms: 123 Similar and Opposite Words

subordinate 1 of 3

adjective

sə-ˈbȯr-də-nət

Definition of subordinate

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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Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

subordinate

2 of 3

noun

sə-ˈbȯr-də-nət

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

subordinate

3 of 3

verb

sə-ˈbȯr-də-ˌnāt

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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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

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

The subordinate sent a spreadsheet reporting that more than 500,000 work-orders in the MTA system at the time had been closed out despite having no indication the work had been done. — Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 16 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

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

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

Meta may end up subjecting its users, regardless of age, to age verification practices that may include requiring a government ID and biometric scans.

— Elizabeth Gulino, Allure, 2 Sep. 2026
But leaving a stone or steel in the bottom of your oven could subject it to unintentional splatters and spills.

— Adam Campbell-Schmitt, Bon Appetit Magazine, 31 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

The junior ran for 99 yards and a career-high three touchdowns in the Cardinal’s 37-27 win against Hawaii on Saturday to begin Stanford’s season.

— Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2026
Agencies should train juniors to question AI’s outputs, connect insights across data and turn analysis into meaningful actions and business outcomes.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 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

Someone briskly assessing workmanship or disparaging a social inferior?

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2026
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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Style

“Subordinate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subordinate. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of subordinate

adjective

noun

verb

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