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 WebIsrael’s absolute right to exist gives it no right to subjugate, let alone massacre, Palestinians.—Steve Koppman, The Mercury News, 7 Mar. 2024 If Putin subjugates Ukraine, other former Russian imperial possessions, in particular the Baltic states, are likely to be in his sights.—TIME, 21 Feb. 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