1. placed in a lower rank or position; made secondary or less important
2. having lower priority for payment in case of bankruptcy or liquidation
Usage: finance

1. past tense of subordinate: to place in a lower rank or make less important

Examples

• The manager subordinated his personal interests to the company’s needs.
• Her creative goals were subordinated to financial pressures.
• The subordinated debt will be paid only after senior creditors are satisfied.
• He felt subordinated in the new organizational structure.
• The committee subordinated the minor issues to focus on the main problem.
• Subordinated bonds typically offer higher interest rates due to increased risk.