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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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

Adjective

So, no, the Chiefs don’t view it as meaningless so much as being subordinate to the real cause. — Kansas City Star, 25 Aug. 2026 Those individual leases were subordinate to BDC’s ground lease, meaning Reitman’s group was responsible not just for reopening the theater but for maintaining and overseeing its existing tenancy structure. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 20 Aug. 2026

Noun

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

Verb

With judges and prosecutors subordinate to the Communist Party, fair-trial guarantees would remain limited even with private practice, and independent lawyers’ groups have repeatedly been denied registration. — Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 4 Aug. 2026 Those firms that subordinated customer value to residual claims frequently paid a price; those who reversed the order compounded advantage. — Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 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

Ellison is said to be a boss who is loyal to his underlings, particularly with his own hires.

— Michael Schneider, Variety, 30 Sep. 2026
Later, Bianco directed his underlings to begin counting those ballots by hand — a potential felony under state law, which forbids anyone other than election officials from so much as touching a ballot container.

— Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of underling

Verb

In the late 1700s, British scientists ran bold experiments on thermoregulation, subjecting themselves (and a dog) to a piping hot room and observing that — unlike the steak and eggs accompanying them — their own bodies did not cook.

— Will Stone, NPR, 11 Oct. 2026
We are subjected daily to the caprices of a mind both unregulated and amoral.

— David Remnick, New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of subject

Adjective

In exchange for a lesser charge and freeing his mother, the perpetrator agrees to testify against the other two men, which ultimately leads to rape convictions for the two.

— Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 10 Oct. 2026
Lee-Kim said pandemic viewing, despite the disruption COVID brought to the industry, exposed audiences to films across languages and helped make language less of a barrier.

— Lin Ying-Hsuan, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of less

Noun

White Settlement Brewer senior running back Kameron Coleman — who rushed for 1,804 yards as a junior — announced his commitment to Wyoming on social media after an official visit with the Cowboys.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Oct. 2026
Wyatt Joyce dribbled the ball 13 yards to the MTSU 48, where it was recovered by KU’s Ezra Vedral, a junior from Omaha.

— Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of junior

Verb

The oversize everyday bag continues to dominate, particularly in supple suede finishes, while mini and micro bags remain relevant through playful interpretations featuring embroidery, charms and decorative details.

— Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
Although bright whites dominate the hotel’s design, the warmth of unvarnished wood furniture does much to temper its starkness, and judicious use of pops of colour – fresh greens, yellows and florals – gives visual interest to the luxe space.

— Julia Wytrazek, TheWeek, 13 Oct. 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

Browse Nearby Words

suboptimal

subordinate

subordinated

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Subordinate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subordinate. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of subordinate

adjective

noun

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

deportment

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

Games & Quizzes