subordinates

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.

The November 2024 indictment in New York accused the industrialist and multiple subordinates of deliberately misleading international investors as part of a vast bribery scheme.

From Barron's • May 15, 2026

Its Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, which includes Iran, shed scores of career officials last year, many of them replaced by greener subordinates or political appointees.

From Slate • May 1, 2026

After its triumph in war with Persia, Athens under Pericles began to treat its allies as subordinates to be exploited.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

Under this model, leaders give subordinates clear objectives but leave the tactical execution to their discretion.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 4, 2026

But in the same way that a freedom fighter subordinates his own family to the family of the people, he must subordinate his own individual feelings to the movement.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela