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.
The emperor's armies subjugated the surrounding lands.
a people subjugated by invaders
Recent Examples on the WebFew politicians have so thoroughly capitulated and subjugated themselves to Trump in the hopes of advancing their own political careers.—Scott Maxwell, Orlando Sentinel, 16 July 2024 From intimate partner violence to inappropriate conduct with minors, every woman and child that was affiliated with the pair became subjugated to intense scrutiny and surveillance online.—Taylor Crumpton, TIME, 27 June 2024 Only now, Black women aren’t the only ones subjugated to this type of harassment and mistreatment.—Taylor Crumpton, TIME, 27 June 2024 In other parts of the world, many peoples have been subjugated by powerful states, repressed through violence, and denied their political rights.—Jonathan B. Petkun, Foreign Affairs, 18 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for subjugate
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'subjugate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Latin subjugatus, past participle of subjugare, from sub- + jugum yoke — more at yoke
Share