Subordinary is a word used to describe something that is of a lesser importance or hierarchy. Synonyms for this word include subaltern, secondary, subsidiary, inferior, and subordinate. Each of these words can be used interchangeably to express the same meaning as subordinary. For example: "The subaltern employees were responsible for completing the menial tasks," or "The subsidiary departments were in charge of providing support to the main operations." These words can be used in a variety of situations to describe anything from job titles to organizational structure. Understanding the nuances of synonyms such as these can help improve language knowledge and communication skills.