subordinate
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The military is subordinate to its civilian commander in chief, and as chairman of the Joint Chiefs, he has no direct command of battlefield forces.
From Salon • Apr. 11, 2026
Her findings were clear: When a female subordinate enters a relationship with a male manager at the same workplace, the subordinate’s earnings rise by about 6% over two years, on top of typical wage increases.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 28, 2026
But Ricardo Monreal, parliamentary leader for the ruling Morena party, rejected the idea that Washington could make Mexico a "subordinate".
From Barron's • Jan. 23, 2026
"Uganda has been ready for a civilian leader since time immemorial," he insists, adding that according to Uganda's constitution, the military must be subordinate to the civilian authority.
From BBC • Jan. 10, 2026
A common error in student writing is to shift the tense from a main clause to a subordinate one even when they refer to the same time period.
From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker
![]()
Vocabulary lists containing subordinate
List 1
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Latin Root "sub" Words
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
ASVAB Word Knowledge
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!