underboss

/ˈʌndərˌbɔs/
noun
  1. The second-in-command in a criminal organization, especially the Mafia.
    • In the crime family, the underboss often mediates disputes between lower members.
    • The underboss was responsible for carrying out the boss's orders.
    • The movie portrays the underboss as a loyal but ambitious figure.
  2. A person who is second in command in any hierarchical organization.
    • The novel's protagonist rises from soldier to underboss over the course of the story.
    • She acted as the underboss of the startup, handling daily operations while the CEO focused on strategy.
    • In the gang's structure, the underboss reported directly to the leader.
Antonyms
What does "underboss" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean