- past participle of subordinate.
- past tense form of subordinate.
subordinated
Americanadjective
-
made secondary or subservient.
Most college programs are geared to those aged 18 to 24, leaving others in a subordinated position in the system.
She refused to settle for a subordinated life as an “office lady,” making copies and coffee for male coworkers and superiors.
-
Finance. being or relating to a debt whose holder is ranked below secured and general creditors with respect to priority of payment.
Typically, in liquidation, subordinated debentures come after short-term debt.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of subordinated
First recorded in 1640–50 subordinated for def. 1; 1920–25 subordinated for def. 2; subordinate ( def. ) + -ed 2 ( def. )
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.
A press release from EFG refers to "approximately 232.6 million euros of subordinated debt".
From Barron's • Jun. 23, 2026
Find insight on subordinated bonds, Belfius Bank, Visa and more in the latest Market Talks covering financial services.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026
In his post on X, he said that "the fight against drugs must be subordinated to the human rights of the Caribbean people".
From BBC • Nov. 12, 2025
That climate of deference fostered a culture of complicity, where questions of social responsibility were subordinated to uncritical faith in authority.
From Salon • Jul. 22, 2025
The Mexica were subordinated by a nearby city-state on the shore, and the tlatoani was forced to send Mexica men as conscripts for its wars.
From "1491" by Charles C. Mann
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
