underling
Someone beneath you
An underling is a person of lower rank or status, especially one who takes orders from others.
The word carries a dismissive or contemptuous tone, suggesting someone insignificant in the hierarchy: He sent an underling to handle the complaint.
Unlike neutral terms like subordinate or assistant, underling emphasizes powerlessness and unimportance.
Loyal criminal subordinate
- lackeyServile follower or minion
- flunkyServile subordinate
- stoogeEasily manipulated pawn
- peonIndentured low-status worker
gofer · follower · sidekick · toady · bootlicker · yes-man · lapdog · dogsbody
One who aids another
- aideSupporting staff member
- deputyAuthorized substitute or assistant
- second-in-commandImmediate subordinate to leader
- lieutenantJunior commissioned officer
adjutant · aide-de-camp · staff · helper · support · associate · clerk · secretary
henchman
Loyal criminal subordinate
peon · gofer · follower · sidekick · toady · bootlicker · yes-man · lapdog · dogsbody · factotum
assistant
One who aids another
- aideSupporting staff member
- deputyAuthorized substitute or assistant
- second-in-commandImmediate subordinate to leader
lieutenant · adjutant · aide-de-camp · staff · helper · support · associate · clerk · secretary · undersecretary
apprentice
Learner bound to employer
novice · recruit · entry-level · greenhorn · fledgling · beginner · cadet · probationer · neophyte · newbie
- assistantsassistant, helper, aide, aide-de-camp, PA
- hierarchyrank, ranked, authority, command, tiered
- lackeyslackey, minion, flunky, gofer, gopher
- underlingssubordinate, minions, minion, lackeys, lackey
- work contactscolleague, coworker, teammate, workmate, peer
- Hierarchy termspecking order, junior, chain of command, secondary, totem pole
underlingruler
One who governs
authority · power broker · decision-maker · shot-caller · mastermind
underlingdecision-maker
One with choosing power
authority figure · power broker · shot-caller · free agent · sovereign