seconds-in-command
Leaders' primary backups
Seconds-in-command are people who rank immediately below the leader of an organization or operation.
The term appears in military, corporate, and informal contexts: The general met with his seconds-in-command before the offensive.
Each second-in-command is prepared to assume leadership if the principal is unavailable.
Opposite of left
- consigliereMafia boss's trusted counselor
- confidantTrusted keeper of secrets
- go-toDependably preferred choice
- sounding-boardListener who gives feedback
mainstay · stalwart · partner · co-pilot · shadow · fixer · gatekeeper
Commander's administrative officer
- aide-de-campPersonal military assistant
- wingmanSupportive second in formation
- sergeant-majorSenior enlisted military rank
- attachéEmbassy specialist officer
Second-ranking executive officer
- underbossCriminal organization's deputy
- vice-chairmanSecond-ranking board officer
- vice-chancellorUniversity's chief executive
- lieutenantJunior commissioned officer
heir-apparent · successor · alternate · backup · regent · proconsul · vice-admiral · vice-principal
right-hand
Opposite of left
- consigliereMafia boss's trusted counselor
- confidantTrusted keeper of secrets
- go-toDependably preferred choice
sounding-board · mainstay · stalwart · partner · co-pilot · shadow · fixer · gatekeeper
adjutant
Commander's administrative officer
- aide-de-campPersonal military assistant
- wingmanSupportive second in formation
- sergeant-majorSenior enlisted military rank
vice-president
Second-ranking executive officer
- underbossCriminal organization's deputy
- vice-chairmanSecond-ranking board officer
- vice-chancellorUniversity's chief executive
lieutenant · heir-apparent · successor · alternate · backup · regent · proconsul · vice-admiral · vice-principal · proxy
protégé
Person guided by expert
- understudyBackup actor, ready nightly
- heirOne who receives legacy
- juniorLower in standing
seconds-in-commandcommanders-in-chief
Highest military authority holders
leaders · chiefs · bosses · heads · commanders
seconds-in-commandrank and file
Ordinary members collectively
subordinates · foot soldiers · grunts · underlings · privates
second, command, secondary, commanding, commander, commanded, commands, seconds, commandment