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Showing results for subordinate. Search instead for subordinar.
Definitions

subordinate

[suh-bawr-dn-it, suh-bawr-dn-eyt] / səˈbɔr dn ɪt, səˈbɔr dnˌeɪt /
ADJECTIVE
lesser, supplementary
Synonyms
STRONG
accessory adjuvant auxiliary collateral dependent inferior junior low lower minor satellite secondary sub subaltern subject subnormal subsidiary tributary
WEAK
ancillary baser below par contributory insignificant paltry second-fiddle second-string smaller subalternate submissive subservient substract under underaverage unequal
Antonyms
STRONG
chief first-class first-rate important main primary source strong superior
WEAK
major necessary vital
NOUN
person that serves another
Synonyms
STRONGEST
aide assistant deputy servant underling
STRONG
attendant dependent flunky gofer helper inferior junior peon scrub second serf slave subaltern
WEAK
poor relation second fiddle second string third string
Antonyms
WEAK
boss chief leader major manager master superior

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.

Xi’s last remaining subordinate on the Central Military Commission is a career political officer with limited operational experience.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 8, 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

Trump visited the construction site, theatrically inspecting it like a mob boss checking on a wayward subordinate.

From Salon • Jan. 12, 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

Corporal Whitcomb, an atheist, was a disgruntled subordinate who felt he could do the chaplain’s job much better than the chaplain was doing it and viewed himself, therefore, as an underprivileged victim of social inequity.

From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller

Vocabulary lists containing subordinate

List 1

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Latin Root "sub" Words

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ASVAB Word Knowledge

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