as in to subdue
to bring under one's control by force of arms
explorers who subjugated the natives in the name of religion
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in conquest
the act or process of bringing someone or something under one's control
the subjugation of much of Europe by Napoléon
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of subjugate
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
Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026
This level of dealmaking far exceeds the bowling alley bets and small-time street gambles that have shaped Marty’s way of moving in the world, and Rockwell represents the kind of ruthless American capitalism and competition that requires humiliation and subjugation.
—Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 25 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for subjugate
Verb
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
Noun
This aggressive subjugation of a country that was not, in fact, a threat to the United States doesn’t make America safer or more prosperous and likely makes the whole region less stable.
—Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026
This level of dealmaking far exceeds the bowling alley bets and small-time street gambles that have shaped Marty’s way of moving in the world, and Rockwell represents the kind of ruthless American capitalism and competition that requires humiliation and subjugation.
—Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 25 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for subjugate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subjugate
Verb
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Even so, the reaction of the market has been relatively subdued, said David Butter, an energy expert on the Middle East at the Chatham House think tank.—
Nabih Bulos,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
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Video from the scene shows a security detail member being taken to the ground as officers worked to subdue the suspects.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
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By the time the 2010’s rolled around, audiences were primed for a foreign-film conquest.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Mar. 2026
-
There is no longer channeling but crossing, no longer constraint but conquest; the human flow can beat to its own rhythm, supported by spatial structure yet independent of the formal organization of its support.—
Elinore Weil,
Artforum,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Beautifully cast and acted, as well-paced as any series in recent memory, HBO’s production is not just watchable but addictive, a weekly antidote to the flavorless crime sagas that now dominate streaming and network TV.—
Graham Hillard,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
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Lithium refining is expensive and technologically complex, and most of the world’s midstream processing capacity remains concentrated in China, meaning Chinese firms dominate not only mining but also the chemical refining stage where much of the value is captured.—
Ray Mwayera,
semafor.com,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Many observers were taken aback by his haughty tone, hypermasculine preoccupation with domination, giddiness about violence and casual attitude toward death.—
Casey Ryan Kelly,
The Conversation,
9 Mar. 2026
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Then for the first time in a real race, rocket starts by Charles Leclerc, who went from fourth to first by Turn 1, and Lewis Hamilton from down in seventh, teased a potential fight that would disrupt the Mercedes domination narrative.—
Luke Smith,
New York Times,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Shakespeare’s fierce and primal tragedy follows the celebrated warrior who knows how to conquer enemies but not how to win hearts.—
Cincinnati Enquirer,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Mar. 2026
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After fashion’s front row set conquered London, the caravan rolled onto Milan Fashion Week, where the energy felt instantly amplified.—
Amanda Le,
InStyle,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The game was scoreless after the first half despite the United States dominating possession by nearly 70%.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 Mar. 2026
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Even with the Haaland situation dominating headlines, there are clear midfield priorities heading into the next gameweek.—
Abdul Rehman,
New York Times,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Fans and politicians had intensified calls to examine Live Nation’s 2010 acquisition of Ticketmaster, after the company subjected Taylor Swift fans to hours-long online queues while charging high prices for tickets to her 2022 Eras tour.—
Reuters
Wire Service,
Dallas Morning News,
9 Mar. 2026
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The very first episode of ANTM subjected the contestants to on-camera Brazilian bikini waxes and then sent them up to a Manhattan roof terrace to pose in swimwear in frigid weather.—
Sophie Gilbert,
The Atlantic,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Luka Doncic scored 44 points despite not playing the fourth quarter, and the Lakers defeated the struggling Indiana Pacers 128-117 on Friday night with LeBron James and Deandre Ayton out because of injury.—
Broderick Turner,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
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Birdville defeated Heritage 77-71 in the state semifinals last season before falling in the state title game to Beaumont West Brook in overtime.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Subjugate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subjugate. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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