as in to subdue
to bring under one's control by force of arms
explorers who subjugated the natives in the name of religion
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Recent Examples of subjugate
Its founder, Ayatollah Khomeini, established a religious dictatorship that subjugates the Iranian people under sharia law, while zealously exporting its dogma by force.
—
Elan Journo, Oc Register, 10 Mar. 2026
Likewise, meekness once meant not becoming weak, but subjugating power to reason – not letting anger take control.
—Timothy J. Pawl, The Conversation, 23 Feb. 2026
However, once Hernán Cortés triumphed, the conquistadors went from waging war — vanquishing the Aztecs — to the project of subjugating Indigenous holdouts and building a self-sustaining territory loyal to the crown.
—Foreign Correspondent, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2026
It’s subjugated to a larger sense of what’s called the universal destination of all goods.
—Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for subjugate
Elan Journo, Oc Register, 10 Mar. 2026
Likewise, meekness once meant not becoming weak, but subjugating power to reason – not letting anger take control.
—Timothy J. Pawl, The Conversation, 23 Feb. 2026
However, once Hernán Cortés triumphed, the conquistadors went from waging war — vanquishing the Aztecs — to the project of subjugating Indigenous holdouts and building a self-sustaining territory loyal to the crown.
—Foreign Correspondent, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2026
It’s subjugated to a larger sense of what’s called the universal destination of all goods.
—Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for subjugate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subjugate
Verb
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This set is subdued and classic, yet still ideal for the season.—
Daisy Maldonado,
InStyle,
20 June 2026
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Investors need to see traffic through the strait rise meaningfully in the coming weeks and months at a minimum to keep prices subdued.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
19 June 2026
Verb
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Turkey dominated its opener, outshooting Australia 30-9, taking 51 touches in the penalty area and completing 90% of its 635 passes.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
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South Africa is dominating possession (63% to 37%) and has made over 100 more accurate passes than Czechia.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
19 June 2026
Verb
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So in Love will almost certainly conquer a number of Billboard charts, including the Billboard 200, once its first seven-day tracking frame of availability finishes.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
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But before there was Taylor Swift, the sea-parting mega-celebrity; Taylor Swift, the world-conquering music mogul; or even Taylor Swift, the pop star, there was Taylor Swift, the songwriter.—
Emily Dentinger,
Vanity Fair,
12 June 2026
Verb
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The Miami Herald has learned Gonzalez informed the mayor that the violation could potentially subject him to arrest, though Calvo ultimately received only civil citations and was not taken into custody.—
Verónica Egui Brito,
Miami Herald,
15 June 2026
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To avoid subjecting yourself to heat stress, try to do most of your outdoor work in the early morning or at dusk when the weather is cooler.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 June 2026
Verb
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And the resounding manner of Burnham’s win – comprehensively defeating Reform weeks after Labour was routed in local elections – gives him considerable momentum too.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
20 June 2026
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Scotland, which defeated Haiti 1-0 on the same field last Friday, likely would need to beat or draw Brazil in its group-stage finale in Miami to qualify for the Round of 32.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
20 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Subjugate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subjugate. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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