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Subordinate vs Inferior - What's the difference?

subordinate | inferior |

Inferior is a synonym of subordinate.



As adjectives the difference between subordinate and inferior

is that subordinate is placed in a lower class, rank, or position while inferior is of lower quality.

As nouns the difference between subordinate and inferior

is that subordinate is (one who is subordinate) One who is subordinate while inferior is a person of lower stature to another.

As a verb subordinate

is to make subservient.

subordinate

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Placed in a lower class, rank, or position.
  • * Woodward
    • The several kinds and subordinate species of each are easily distinguished.
  • Submissive or inferior to, or controlled by, authority.
  • * South
    • It was subordinate , not enslaved, to the understanding.
  • (grammar, of a clause, not comparable) dependent on and either modifying or complementing the main clause
    • In the sentence, “The barbecue finished before John arrived”, the subordinate clause “before John arrived” specifies the time of the main clause, “The barbecue finished”.

    Synonyms

    * lesser * (sense) dependent

    Antonyms

    * superior, superordinate * (Submissive to or controlled by authority) insubordinate * (sense) independent, main

    See also

    * inferior

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (senseid)(countable) One who is subordinate.

    • Synonyms

    * (one who is subordinate) inferior, junior, report, underling, understrapper

    Antonyms

    * (one who is subordinate) boss, commander, leader, manager, superior, supervisor

    Verb

    (subordinat)
  • To make subservient.
  • To treat as of less value or importance.
  • (finance) To make of lower priority in order of payment in bankruptcy.

    • Synonyms

    * (treat as of less value or importance) belittle, denigrate

    inferior

    English

    Alternative forms

    * inferiour (obsolete)

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • of lower quality
    • Anna had always felt inferior to her brother due to poor school grades.
  • * Dryden
    • Whether they are equal or inferior to my other poems, an author is the most improper judge.
  • of lower rank
    • an inferior officer
  • located below
  • # (typography) Printed in subscript.
  • an inferior figure or letter
  • (botany) Situated below some other organ; said of a calyx when free from the ovary, and therefore below it, or of an ovary with an adherent and therefore inferior calyx.
  • (botany) On the side of a flower which is next to the bract; anterior.
  • (astronomy) Nearer to the Sun than the Earth is.
    • the inferior''' or interior planets; an '''inferior conjunction of Mercury or Venus
  • (astronomy) Below the horizon.
    • the inferior part of a meridian

    Usage notes

    (term) and (superior) are generally followed by (to); (than) is seen sometimes, but is viewed as wrong.

    Synonyms

    * See also

    Antonyms

    * superior

    Coordinate terms

    *

    Related terms

    * inferiority

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • a person of lower stature to another
    • As you are my inferior , I can tell you to do anything I want.

    Antonyms

    * superior

    External links

    * * *

    Anagrams

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