underling
noun
un·der·ling ˈən-dər-liŋ 
: one who is under the orders of another : subordinate, inferior
Synonyms
- inferior
- junior
- subordinate
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
He takes all the credit, but most of the hard work is done by his underlings. the real estate tycoon has a whole army of underlings to attend to the details
Recent Examples on the Web Paulie is older than the other members of Tony’s inner circle, a former underling of Tony’s father who is one of the last of his generation from the Family to still be active. 
Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 9 July 2022 In his absence, a young underling (Zachary Quinto) picks up his project and deduces the disaster that's about to happen, sounds the alarm, and a row of financial dominos begins to topple. Gwen Ihnat, EW.com, 13 June 2022 An underling reported to Mr. Mineta that pilots would be told to land at their discretion. Washington Post, 3 May 2022 Sorry, Omarosa, but the most-notable Trump underling to celebrate nuptials at the boss’ hotel was special assistant to the president Stephen Miller, who celebrated his wedding to Pence’s press secretary Katie Rose Waldman there in February 2020. Zach Everson, Forbes, 26 Apr. 2022 The 49-year-old scion has a formidable partner in Shankar, a former underling at Fox. Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2022 One month later, BlackRock top executive Mark Wiseman was terminated for failing to disclose a relationship with an underling. Tatiana Siegel, Rolling Stone, 3 Feb. 2022 On top of that, Francis added his Christmas greetings in the form of another public brow-beating of Vatican clerics, who normally are treated with the utmost deference by their underling and the faithful at large. Fox News, 24 Dec. 2021 The appearance is that Zucker leaned on a top network star to accommodate an underling with whom he was romantically linked. Kim Masters, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Feb. 2022 See More
Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 9 July 2022 In his absence, a young underling (Zachary Quinto) picks up his project and deduces the disaster that's about to happen, sounds the alarm, and a row of financial dominos begins to topple. Gwen Ihnat, EW.com, 13 June 2022 An underling reported to Mr. Mineta that pilots would be told to land at their discretion. Washington Post, 3 May 2022 Sorry, Omarosa, but the most-notable Trump underling to celebrate nuptials at the boss’ hotel was special assistant to the president Stephen Miller, who celebrated his wedding to Pence’s press secretary Katie Rose Waldman there in February 2020. Zach Everson, Forbes, 26 Apr. 2022 The 49-year-old scion has a formidable partner in Shankar, a former underling at Fox. Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2022 One month later, BlackRock top executive Mark Wiseman was terminated for failing to disclose a relationship with an underling. Tatiana Siegel, Rolling Stone, 3 Feb. 2022 On top of that, Francis added his Christmas greetings in the form of another public brow-beating of Vatican clerics, who normally are treated with the utmost deference by their underling and the faithful at large. Fox News, 24 Dec. 2021 The appearance is that Zucker leaned on a top network star to accommodate an underling with whom he was romantically linked. Kim Masters, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Feb. 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
12th century, in the meaning defined above
underling
noun
as in subordinate
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
Relevance
- subordinate
- henchman
- minion
- assistant
- junior
- inferior
- sidekick
- lackey
- deputy
- attendant
- aide
- follower
- domestic
- flunky
- steward
- menial
- retainer
- flunkey
- flunkie
- adjutant
- second
- aid
- mate
- coadjutor
- second fiddle
- helpmeet
- helpmate
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- boss
- superior
- leader
- chief
- head
- foreman
- master
- captain
- senior
- taskmaster
- kingpin
- headman
- helmsman