EN

Synonyms for subordinate

  • noun
  • adjective
  • verb

Most common

underling inferior secondary junior subsidiary foot soldier

Synonyms by meaning

Noun

1. Underling — one who is subordinate

underling, inferior, secondary, junior, under, subject, minor, servant, lackey, collateral, stooge, tributary, minion, satellite, incidental, report, myrmidon, understrapper, vassal, henchman, attendant, retainer

2. Subsidiary

subsidiary, foot soldier

Other

subservient, assistant, auxiliary, lower-down, accessory, hyponym, yeoman, ancillary

Adjective

1. Subaltern — placed in a lower class, rank, or position

subaltern, lesser, petty

Other

dependent US, dependant UK, low-level, feudatory, subordinative, lowly

Verb

1. Belittle — to treat (someone) as of less value or importance

belittle, denigrate

Other

subdue

Antonyms

dominant, head, superior

All antonyms of subordinate →

Definitions

  1. n. 1

    One who is subordinate.

  2. n. 2

    A hyponym.

  3. adj. 1

    Placed in a lower class, rank, or position.

  4. v. 1

    To treat (someone) as of less value or importance.

Related words

Word family
subordinateness subordinator
Phrases
subordinate clause subordinate legislation

Forms

Plural
subordinates → underlings, inferiors, secondaries, juniors…
Past participle
subordinated
e.g. subordinated → belittled, denigrated, subdued…

Example sentences

  • servant A small regent is worth more than a large servant.
  • lackey You treat me like a lackey and I don't like it.
  • stooge The Palestinians think he's an Israeli stooge.
  • underling You're just an underling. Know your place!
  • assistant Tom's assistant came in and handed Mary a message.

Popularity over time

Word1850 → 2019Trend
subordinatesteady
servantrising
lackeyrising
stoogefalling
underlingrising

Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.

By length

5 letters
under2, minor2, petty2, lowly2
6 letters
report2, junior2, lesser2, subdue2, minion2, lackey2, vassal2, stooge1, yeoman2
7 letters
subject2, servant2, hyponym
8 letters
inferior4, retainer3, henchman2, belittle3, myrmidon3
9 letters
assistant3, secondary4, satellite3, dependent3, auxiliary4, attendant3, accessory4, tributary4, ancillary4, dependant, denigrate3, underling3, subaltern, feudatory
10 letters
subsidiary5, collateral4, incidental4
11 letters
subservient4
13 letters
understrapper, subordinative

The small number after each word is its number of syllables (under2 = 2 syllables).

In other languages

Français
subordonné