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
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
There’s her creative director, Celeste (filmmaker/actress Hailey Benton Gates), Charli’s friend and the only one with a foot in reality, but with no other purpose in life but to subjugate herself to her employer.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 24 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for subjugate
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
There’s her creative director, Celeste (filmmaker/actress Hailey Benton Gates), Charli’s friend and the only one with a foot in reality, but with no other purpose in life but to subjugate herself to her employer.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 24 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for subjugate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subjugate
Verb
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The celebration from general manager Bill Guerin was rather subdued after the Wild earned a 5-2 win over the Dallas Stars on Thursday night at Grand Casino Arena to advance to the second round for the first time in more than a decade.—
Dane Mizutani,
Twin Cities,
2 May 2026
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Responding personnel subdued the knife-wielding man with a taser before the Metropolitan Police could arrive.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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So the railroads said the deal would shift which railroad dominates the market but wouldn’t dramatically change the competitive balance.—
Josh Funk,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
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The insurgents, who operate at ease, crossing borders and dominating much of the countryside in Mali and Burkina Faso, now feel emboldened to target capital cities.—
Ulf Laessing,
semafor.com,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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With over 40 years of experience and a heritage rooted in the prestigious Valmont Clinic on the Swiss Riviera, the brand has conquered the world of skincare, combining advanced science, the purest natural ingredients from the Alps, and an unmistakable artistic sensibility.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
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Admittedly, the company conquered the market in large part by achieving a dramatic reduction in launch costs.—
Ben Tarnoff,
Big Think,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Demand is highest when the weather is at its worst, which subjects you to freezing temperatures and rotten road conditions.—
Kathy Kristof,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
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For the first time, balls and strikes can now be challenged, subjecting the fundamental building block of the game to review.—
Sean McIndoe,
New York Times,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Bote defeated Miami Immaculata-LaSalle junior Lorenzo Lopez 6-1, 6-2 for the overall singles crown and teamed with Wheat to win the overall doubles championship, 6-4, 6-1 over Naples Community School.—
Gary Curreri,
Sun Sentinel,
2 May 2026
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In Commonwealth Athletic Conference action, Emma Bettencourt recorded four goals and one assist as Greater Lowell defeated Lowell Catholic, 7-1.—
Brian Roach,
Boston Herald,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Subjugate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subjugate. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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