subaltern

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It’s an island nation that was dominated for centuries by a neighboring superpower, and now serves as privileged subaltern to another one.

From Salon • Mar. 16, 2025

The islands, which fell under Danish rule in the fourteenth century, became self-governing in 1948, but the relationship between the two countries remains that of a resentful subaltern state and a condescending colonial power.

From The New Yorker • Jun. 11, 2018

Now, with his new book The Other Paris, he has moved on to a subaltern city that he sees as the antidote to America.

From The Guardian • Jan. 2, 2016

The colonial past is alive in his work—Houellebecq was born on subaltern soil, for god’s sake—and I think he often winks at his crappy narrators enjoying the lingering fruits of empire.

From Slate • Oct. 6, 2015

He imagined that a call would come to him, a voice of Command, the voice of a subaltern of God, hashmarks running down his arm for a thousand miles.

From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy