subordinate

American  

[suh-bawr-dn-it, suh-bawr-dn-eyt] / səˈbɔr dn ɪt, səˈbɔr dnˌeɪt /

adjective

1. placed in or belonging to a lower order or rank.

2. of less importance; secondary.

   Synonyms:

   ancillary

   Antonyms:

   primary, superior

3. subject to or under the authority of a superior.

4. subservient or inferior.

5. subject; dependent.

6. Grammar.

   1. acting as a modifier, as when I finished, which is subordinate to They were glad in They were glad when I finished.

   2. noting or pertaining to a subordinating conjunction.

7. Obsolete. submissive.

---

noun

1. a subordinate person or thing.

   Synonyms:

   inferior

verb (used with object)

subordinated, subordinating

1. to place in a lower order or rank.

   Synonyms:

   reduce, lower

2. to make secondary (usually followed byto ).

   to subordinate work to pleasure.

3. to make subject, subservient, or dependent (usually followed byto ).

   to subordinate passion to reason.

subordinate British  

adjective

1. of lesser order or importance

2. under the authority or control of another

   a subordinate functionary

---

noun

1. a person or thing that is subordinate

verb

1. to put in a lower rank or position (than)

2. to make subservient

   to subordinate mind to heart

Other Word Forms

• nonsubordinate adjective
• nonsubordinating adjective
• presubordinate verb (used with object)
• self-subordinating adjective
• subordinacy noun
• subordinately adverb
• subordinateness noun
• subordination noun
• subordinative adjective
• unsubordinate adjective
• unsubordinative adjective

Etymology

Origin of subordinate

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English adjective subordynat, from Medieval Latin subōrdinātus, past participle of subōrdināre “to subordinate,” equivalent to Latin sub- “under, below, beneath” + ōrdin- (stem of ōrdō ) “rank, order” + -ātus past participle suffix; sub-, -ate ¹

Example Sentences

Prosecutors said Najib "paints himself as a victim of rogue subordinates, when in truth, he was the single most powerful decision-maker".

From Barron's

“Even though there’s an alpha male, the more subordinate males within the troop will mate with the females and do what’s called sneak breeding,” said Candace Sclimenti, curator of mammals at the zoo.

From Los Angeles Times

Some subordinates go along with orders or expectations because they’ve been taught not to challenge authority.

From The Wall Street Journal

Yet he’s also a workaholic known for firing off texts to subordinates and colleagues as early as 4 a.m.

From The Wall Street Journal

In Ms. Brett’s signature style, the illustrations are arranged in ornamented panels so that readers ages 4 to 9 can see the main action of the story while also gaining glimpses of subordinate plot developments.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• aide
• assistant
• deputy
• servant
• underling