subjugate

verb

sub·​ju·​gate ˈsəb-ji-ˌgāt How to pronounce subjugate (audio)
subjugated; subjugating

transitive verb

1
: to bring under control and governance as a subject : conquer
2
: to make submissive : subdue
subjugation noun
subjugator 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.

Examples of subjugate in a Sentence

The emperor's armies subjugated the surrounding lands. a people subjugated by invaders
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
How could the woman who wrote so piercingly about women’s subjugation subjugate herself to not just one but two men? Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2025 Roberts performs as Yale philosophy Professor Alma, the self-righteousness that dazzles in her eyes subjugates Edebiri as Maggie, her self-effacing star pupil. Malik Peay, Essence, 9 Oct. 2025 Charlie was a champion of the Judeo-Christian coalition to save Western civilization from the forces of barbarism and Islamism that seek to subjugate us all. Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025 Russia’s war against Ukraine has much broader aims than subjugating an independent country. Ivo H. Daalder, Foreign Affairs, 10 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for subjugate

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of subjugate was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Subjugate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subjugate. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

subjugate

verb
sub·​ju·​gate ˈsəb-ji-ˌgāt How to pronounce subjugate (audio)
subjugated; subjugating
1
: to bring under control and rule as a subject : conquer
2
: to make willing to submit to others : subdue
subjugation noun
subjugator noun

More from Merriam-Webster on subjugate

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