as in subordinates
one who is of lower rank and typically under the authority of another
the real estate tycoon has a whole army of underlings to attend to the details
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of underlings
The film, which debuted at the Busan International Film Festival, centers on gang underlings who, oddly, compete to avoid becoming the boss while pursuing personal ambitions.
—
Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 20 Oct. 2025
The stories involving Olympia’s other underlings, Sarah Franklin (Leah Lewis) and Billy Martinez (David Del Rio), were often minimized and isolated.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 13 Oct. 2025
Like his Washington, Bargatze’s Farnsworth regaled a trio of underlings (SNL cast members Bowen Yang, Mikey Day, and James Austin Johnson) with ridiculous yet accurate predictions for the future, in this case of TV.
—Judy Berman, Time, 15 Sep. 2025
Although the underlings complained about my methods, the cartel leaders, like Pedro and his boss, El Viejo, a key deputy of Pablo Escobar, were on my side.
—Martin Suarez, Rolling Stone, 13 Sep. 2025
When his underlings spew hate about the Golden State on Fox News and social media?
—Gustavo Arellano, Mercury News, 22 Aug. 2025
Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 20 Oct. 2025
The stories involving Olympia’s other underlings, Sarah Franklin (Leah Lewis) and Billy Martinez (David Del Rio), were often minimized and isolated.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 13 Oct. 2025
Like his Washington, Bargatze’s Farnsworth regaled a trio of underlings (SNL cast members Bowen Yang, Mikey Day, and James Austin Johnson) with ridiculous yet accurate predictions for the future, in this case of TV.
—Judy Berman, Time, 15 Sep. 2025
Although the underlings complained about my methods, the cartel leaders, like Pedro and his boss, El Viejo, a key deputy of Pablo Escobar, were on my side.
—Martin Suarez, Rolling Stone, 13 Sep. 2025
When his underlings spew hate about the Golden State on Fox News and social media?
—Gustavo Arellano, Mercury News, 22 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underlings
Noun
-
The Charges The obstruction charge centers on allegations that Comey directed subordinates to remove or conceal those memos from FBI systems after his dismissal in May 2017, actions prosecutors claim impeded a lawful investigation into the unauthorized disclosure of classified material.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
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The move came eight months after the controversial resignation of former AD Pat Hobbs, who had been under an internal investigation over an inappropriate relationship with gymnastics coach Umme Salim-Beasley, one of his subordinates.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Cederquist is one of scores of bad cops included in the book, as is one of his minions in the Stoughton crew, a guy named Calvin Butner.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
15 Oct. 2025
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Amon, a tank-like Forgeknight; and Vex, a Siren who has the ability to spawn minions and drain life from enemies like a necromancer.—
Gieson Cacho,
Mercury News,
15 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Besides being mugged by one of Iza’s henchmen, a brick was thrown through his window and his car was vandalized.—
Jesse Hyde,
Rolling Stone,
21 Oct. 2025
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Clarke played villain henchmen Mac in the film partly set and filmed in Sydney, Australia.—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
20 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Underlings.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underlings. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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