subordinate

Less important than something else.

• Money played a subordinate role.
• Personal comfort was subordinate to the team’s needs.
• These details are subordinate to the main argument.

How to use it: subordinate to something (Cost is subordinate to safety in this project.)

Similar words: secondary, less important

Opposites: primary, main

Common phrases: subordinate role, subordinate importance, subordinate to something

Having a lower rank or position than someone or something else.

• He held a subordinate position.
• Subordinate officers reported to the commander.
• This department is subordinate to the central office.

How to use it: subordinate to someone/something (A lieutenant is subordinate to a captain.)

Similar words: junior, lower-ranking

Opposites: senior, superior

Common phrases: subordinate officer, subordinate position, subordinate rank

Controlled by someone or something with greater authority.

• The committee remained subordinate to the board.
• His wishes were subordinate to his father’s will.
• The army was subordinate to civilian authority.

How to use it: subordinate to someone/something (The local council remained subordinate to the governor.)

Similar words: subject, subservient

Opposites: independent

Common phrases: subordinate to someone, subordinate to authority, remain subordinate

Someone who works under another person in an organization.

• She praised her subordinates.
• He asked a subordinate to prepare the report.
• A good manager listens to every subordinate.

Opposites: superior

Common phrases: a direct subordinate, manage a subordinate, a trusted subordinate

To treat someone or something as less important than another person or thing.

• Do not subordinate safety to speed.
• She subordinated her own wishes to the family’s needs.
• The plan subordinates individual freedom to state control.

How to use it: subordinate someone/something to someone/something (They subordinated profit to public safety.)

Similar words: deprioritize

Opposites: prioritize

Common phrases: subordinate something to something, subordinate personal interests, subordinate individual needs