as in to subdue
to bring under one's control by force of arms
explorers who subjugated the natives in the name of religion
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Recent Examples of subjugate
However, the 50-day window has been criticized by some European officials and experts, who have asked why Trump is giving additional time to Putin, who has repeatedly stated his desire to subjugate Ukraine.
—
Astha Rajvanshi, NBC news, 16 July 2025
The charade looked like something out of a Western movie — American military subjugating yet another Native American tribe.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2025
This defeatism has been supported by a second, equally pernicious assumption: that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s commitment to subjugating Ukraine cannot be deterred.
—Michael Carpenter, Foreign Affairs, 1 July 2025
Braiding traditions across the African diaspora both predate and defy the colonial confines set forth to erase and subjugate Black communities.
—Essence, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for subjugate
Astha Rajvanshi, NBC news, 16 July 2025
The charade looked like something out of a Western movie — American military subjugating yet another Native American tribe.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2025
This defeatism has been supported by a second, equally pernicious assumption: that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s commitment to subjugating Ukraine cannot be deterred.
—Michael Carpenter, Foreign Affairs, 1 July 2025
Braiding traditions across the African diaspora both predate and defy the colonial confines set forth to erase and subjugate Black communities.
—Essence, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for subjugate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subjugate
Verb
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Critics panned Lyles’ subdued initial response and blamed the policies of Charlotte officials for failing to prevent the murder.—
Nick Sullivan,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Sep. 2025
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Critically, American surveillance technologies allowed a brutal mass detention campaign in the far west region of Xinjiang — targeting, tracking and grading virtually the entire native Uyghur population to forcibly assimilate and subdue them.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Carr had been a game warden in Northern Rhodesia (as Zambia was then called), where hunting dominated.—
Daniel Scheffler,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
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While oversized leather bomber jackets and trench coats continue to dominate fall trend reports, more voluminous, blanketing silhouettes will surely gain momentum as temperatures begin to plummet.—
Emily Tannenbaum,
Glamour,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Australian rock outfit rises on multiple tallies in the United States this frame and even manages to double up on one tally as a former bestseller performs well again, and the group nearly re-conquers a competitive roster.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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Sometimes love conquers all — with the help of modern medicine.—
Viola Kosome,
NPR,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Richmond served as the functional center for the chattel slavery system in the United States, the capitol city of the Confederacy during the Civil War and was one of the many cities that subjected residents to redlining lending practices.—
Andrea Riquier,
USA Today,
9 Sep. 2025
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Today, the Court needlessly subjects countless more to these exact same indignities.—
Dan Gooding
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In 2023-24, Jones had a career year for the Mavericks, who were defeated by the Boston Celtics in the 2024 NBA Finals.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
12 Sep. 2025
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Some decisions are prudent, such as the Las Vegas Raiders to defeat the New England Patriots at a nice underdog price.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Subjugate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subjugate. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
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