as in obedience
a bending to the authority or control of another
an oligarchy requires subordination by the masses to the will of a tiny elite
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of subordination
This back-and-forth struggle to dominate American institutions testifies to their surpassing value and to their insusceptibility to permanent subordination.
—
Stephen Kotkin, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
Instead, officials reinforce colonial subordination while deepening the vulnerability of immigrant communities.
—Israel Melendez Ayala, Time, 16 Sep. 2025
The documentation should show the commercial rationale for the advance, a repayment schedule, any security or subordination terms, and actions consistent with a creditor relationship (for example, formal demands for payment, enforcement steps or arms‑length interest rates).
—Virginia La Torre Jeker, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Trump’s Oval Office subordination of the Europeans was stunning.
—John Seiler, Oc Register, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for subordination
Stephen Kotkin, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
Instead, officials reinforce colonial subordination while deepening the vulnerability of immigrant communities.
—Israel Melendez Ayala, Time, 16 Sep. 2025
The documentation should show the commercial rationale for the advance, a repayment schedule, any security or subordination terms, and actions consistent with a creditor relationship (for example, formal demands for payment, enforcement steps or arms‑length interest rates).
—Virginia La Torre Jeker, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Trump’s Oval Office subordination of the Europeans was stunning.
—John Seiler, Oc Register, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for subordination
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subordination
Noun
-
Augustinians also take vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.—
Peter Wehner,
The Atlantic,
27 Apr. 2026
-
As a child performing with his brothers at the family home in Gary, Indiana, young Michael (Juliano Krue Valdi) is beaten by his father, Joe (Colman Domingo), who demands obedience along with musical discipline.—
Sheldon Pearce,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Let’s Talk TV public process received close to 15,000 submissions included in the official record.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Allin used multiple submission maneuvers to eventually for Ciampa to tap out.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Before publishing, journalists reviewed this content in compliance with McClatchy Media’s AI policy.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
1 May 2026
-
In a 6-3 decision authored by Justice Samuel Alito, the Supreme Court's conservative majority found that compliance with Section 2 could not justify the state's use of race in redrawing its House district lines.—
Aaron Navarro,
CBS News,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Subordination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subordination. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
