as in conquest
the act or process of bringing someone or something under one's control
the subjugation of much of Europe by Napoléon
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Recent Examples of subjugation
Maybe the typical wedding remains an exercise in female subjugation and compulsory heterosexuality, but straight women aren’t the only characters suffering at the altar.
—
Judy Berman, Time, 27 May 2026
For many Indians, the loss of the Koh-i-Noor is symbolic of the country's subjugation under colonial rule.
—Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 29 Apr. 2026
Across TikTok, Instagram, Threads, YouTube, Goodreads, and Reddit, reactions have focused less on the craft of fiction writing than on the spiritual subjugation of women that any media about this topic must, by nature, interrogate and include.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 28 Apr. 2026
That power was built up over centuries partly to compensate for the humiliation, subjugation, and grievous bondage of Russia’s history, real and imagined.
—Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026
In pre-Christian Ireland, sucking breasts was a way of showing subjugation to a king and the cutting out of Old Croghan Man’s nipples is, historians believe, an indication that he had been thus stripped of his claims to kingship.
—Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 17 Mar. 2026
The continent’s failure to learn could lead not just to the subjugation of individual nations but to the end of the European project.
—Liam Denning, Bloomberg, 12 Mar. 2026
Many slaves, Murray noted, internalized this ideal of American freedom despite their own subjugation.
—Thomas Chatterton Williams, The Atlantic, 13 Feb. 2026
America is rooted in the rejection of arbitrary power and the subjugation of the individual to the state.
—Agustina Vergara Cid, Oc Register, 23 Jan. 2026
Judy Berman, Time, 27 May 2026
For many Indians, the loss of the Koh-i-Noor is symbolic of the country's subjugation under colonial rule.
—Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 29 Apr. 2026
Across TikTok, Instagram, Threads, YouTube, Goodreads, and Reddit, reactions have focused less on the craft of fiction writing than on the spiritual subjugation of women that any media about this topic must, by nature, interrogate and include.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 28 Apr. 2026
That power was built up over centuries partly to compensate for the humiliation, subjugation, and grievous bondage of Russia’s history, real and imagined.
—Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026
In pre-Christian Ireland, sucking breasts was a way of showing subjugation to a king and the cutting out of Old Croghan Man’s nipples is, historians believe, an indication that he had been thus stripped of his claims to kingship.
—Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 17 Mar. 2026
The continent’s failure to learn could lead not just to the subjugation of individual nations but to the end of the European project.
—Liam Denning, Bloomberg, 12 Mar. 2026
Many slaves, Murray noted, internalized this ideal of American freedom despite their own subjugation.
—Thomas Chatterton Williams, The Atlantic, 13 Feb. 2026
America is rooted in the rejection of arbitrary power and the subjugation of the individual to the state.
—Agustina Vergara Cid, Oc Register, 23 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subjugation
Noun
-
According to Alessandro Usielli, head of Ford global brand entertainment, Aston Martin, Jaguar, Land Rover and Ford have all worked with the Bond franchise to introduce new models by providing cars for the superspy, his coterie of comely conquests and his villainous adversaries.—
Brett Berk,
HollywoodReporter,
24 May 2026
-
Kilkenny Castle Originally built in the 12th century, soon after the Norman conquest of Ireland, Kilkenny Castle is located on the banks of the River Nore in County Kilkenny.—
Patricia Doherty,
Travel + Leisure,
22 May 2026
Noun
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One such set lies in the city’s Flavelle, Port Moody location, where a sprawling makeshift village depicts different boroughs of Ba Sing Se, the next target in Fire Lord Ozai’s mission for global domination.—
Entertainment Weekly,
Entertainment Weekly,
3 June 2026
-
But neither franchise domination, AI nor streaming make Spielberg fret for the future of movies.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
Gore scattered two more hits en route to his fourth win of the year — and second dominating performance against the Royals.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
30 May 2026
-
The recent run of success has been led by a dominating pitching staff, especially the bullpen, with an erratic offense only starting to come alive of late.—
Doug Padilla,
Oc Register,
27 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Subjugation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subjugation. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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