What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
underling
Example
The underlings were responsible for completing the paperwork. [underlings: noun]
Example
He was tired of being treated like an underling by his boss. [underling: adjective]
inferior
Example
The quality of the product was inferior to what was advertised. [inferior: adjective]
Example
She felt inferior to her classmates because she struggled with math. [inferior: adjective]
Example
The manager treated his subordinates as if they were inferior to him. [inferior: preposition]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Inferior is more commonly used than underling in everyday language. Inferior is a versatile word that can be used in many contexts, while underling is more specific to workplace hierarchies.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between underling and inferior?
Both underling and inferior are relatively formal words that are more likely to be used in professional or academic settings than in casual conversation.
