subjugate

verb

sub·​ju·​gate ˈsəb-ji-ˌgāt 

subjugated; subjugating

transitive verb

1

: to bring under control and governance as a subject : conquer

2

: to make submissive : subdue

subjugation

ˌsəb-ji-ˈgā-shən 

noun

subjugator

ˈsəb-ji-ˌgā-tər 

noun

Did you know?

Since jugus means "yoke" in Latin, subjugate means literally "bring under the yoke". Farmers control oxen by means of a heavy wooden yoke over their shoulders. In ancient Rome, conquered soldiers, stripped of their uniforms, might actually be forced to pass under an ox yoke as a sign of submission to the Roman victors. Even without an actual yoke, what happens to a population that has come under the control of another can be every bit as humiliating. In dozens of countries throughout the world, ethnic minorities are denied basic rights and view themselves as subjugated by their country's government, army, and police.

Synonyms of subjugate

• subdue
• dominate
• conquer
• subject
• defeat

Examples of subjugate in a Sentence

The emperor's armies subjugated the surrounding lands.

a people subjugated by invaders

Recent Examples on the Web

For more than 20 years, billy woods and Elucid have been chronicling their arduous experiences as Black men navigating life in a society built to subjugate them. — Andre Gee, Pitchfork, 13 Nov. 2026

In this movie, it is revealed that Ghidorah is less a king and more a pawn, under the control of calculating Xiliens as part of a plan to subjugate Earth. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 8 Nov. 2026

In the fullness of time it was arguably subjugated by the burgeoning corporation’s commercial impulses. — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026

In an America where people my age feel particularly subjugated and helpless, accusing someone else of political and moral impropriety and defending your case with your life can instill in you feelings of reified self-empowerment and control. — Ivy Wolk, Vulture, 28 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin subjugatus, past participle of subjugare, from sub- + jugum yoke — more at yoke

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for subjugate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate
• angulate

Kids Definition

subjugate

verb

sub·​ju·​gate ˈsəb-ji-ˌgāt 

subjugated; subjugating

1

: to bring under control and rule as a subject : conquer

2

: to make willing to submit to others : subdue

subjugation

ˌsəb-ji-ˈgā-shən 

noun

subjugator

ˈsəb-ji-ˌgāt-ər 

noun