Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

underling

American  
[uhn-der-ling] / ˈʌn dər lɪŋ /

noun

  1. a subordinate, especially one of slight importance.

    Synonyms:
    hireling, lackey, flunky, menial
underling British  
/ ˈʌndəlɪŋ /

noun

  1. a subordinate or lackey

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of underling

1125–75; Middle English. See under-, -ling 1

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.

Underling prices, closely watched by policymakers as they filter out volatile food and energy prices, also accelerated in September.

From Reuters • Oct. 1, 2021

Underling of the office services manager at Oxford City Council.

From The Guardian • Jun. 15, 2012

Underling officers, whose duty it was to advance him money on credit, had raised difficulties.

From Canada: the Empire of the North Being the Romantic Story of the New Dominion's Growth from Colony to Kingdom by Laut, Agnes C. (Agnes Christina)

Do'st think that I'm an Underling to thee!

From The London-Bawd: With Her Character and Life Discovering the Various and Subtle Intrigues of Lewd Women by Anonymous

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.