subjugate

1 of 2

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

subjugation

2 of 2

noun

sub·​ju·​ga·​tion

plural -s

: an act of subjugating or the state of being subjugated

the distinction between outright conquest and subjugation on the one hand and mere military occupation on the other

—E. H. Litchfield

subjugation of personal inclination to the good of the group

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

Verb

• subdue
• dominate
• conquer
• subject
• defeat

Examples of subjugate in a Sentence

Verb

The emperor's armies subjugated the surrounding lands.

a people subjugated by invaders

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The ruling was widely seen by progressives as subjugating the role of the individual in the election process to that of the corporation. — Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 Sep. 2026

At the center of Putin’s governing intent is subjugating Ukraine and forcing the West to accept that outcome. — Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 14 Sep. 2026

More generally, the movie, directed by Elegance Bratton, is about the historical context of this murder, the conscious and organized effort by white Southern citizens and officials to intimidate, persecute, and subjugate Black people. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026

In fact, in this retelling, their free will and autonomy are essential elements of that virtuous cycle, rather than subjugated by it. — Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

Noun

Late Latin subjugation-, subjugatio, from Latin subjugatus (past participle) + -ion-, -io -ion

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

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