Mean
Mean adjective - Of little or less value or merit.
Usage example: it's no mean feat to memorize that long poem
Subordinate and mean are semantically related. In some cases you can use "Subordinate" instead an adjective "Mean".
Subordinate
Subordinate adjective - Having not so great importance or rank as another.
Usage example: his contention is that environment plays a subordinate role to heredity in determining what we become
Mean and subordinate are semantically related. Sometimes you can use "Mean" instead an adjective "Subordinate".
How words are described
Both words in one sentence
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In Noob, the guildmaster of Relic Hunter may be a Mean Boss, but he will get mad if the female Mad Bomber of the cast blows up his Casanova Wannabe subordinate for coming onto her.
Source: Hypocritical Heartwarming -
Mostly it's presented as Subordinate Excuse brought Up to Eleven — the comedy happens when they play these submissive games without pretending they really mean it: Girls (in a playfully drawling choir): Master, punish us!
Source: Manga / Mouse
Cite this Source
Subordinate and Mean. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 22, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/mean/subordinate
Mean & Subordinate. N.p., 2016. Web. 22 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/mean/subordinate>.
Subordinate or Mean. 2016. Accessed July 22, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/mean/subordinate.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "mean" and "subordinate" have occurred on timeline