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
Agustina Vergara Cid, Oc Register, 23 Jan. 2026
By the closing epilogue of the MM romance novel, the author must figure out how to create honest stakes for a gay couple in an overwhelmingly heteronormative context that threatens the heroes with societal subjugation and maybe even physical punishment.
—Literary Hub, 22 Jan. 2026
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
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
By the closing epilogue of the MM romance novel, the author must figure out how to create honest stakes for a gay couple in an overwhelmingly heteronormative context that threatens the heroes with societal subjugation and maybe even physical punishment.
—Literary Hub, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for subjugate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subjugate
Verb
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Police attempted multiple nonlethal methods to subdue the man, including the use of a Taser and pepper spray, before one officer fired a gun.—
Nikiya Carrero,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
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Backed by his wife’s wealthy family, Coronado hoped to amass a fortune equal to that of Hernan Cortez, who had brutally subdued the Aztecs.—
Sandra Dallas,
Denver Post,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
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But in recent years, Columbus also has been recognized as a primary example of Western Europe's conquest of the New World, its resources and native people.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
23 Mar. 2026
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In recent years, Columbus also has been recognized as a primary example of Western Europe’s conquest of the New World, its resources and its Native people.—
Brian Witte,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Jayhawks dominated inside, scoring 40 points in the paint.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
27 Mar. 2026
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As a result, Cleveland dominated the third quarter 37-20 to erase Miami’s 21-point lead and enter the fourth quarter with the game tied at 83-83.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The Catholic king, James II, was bitterly opposed by the Protestant aristocrats, who feared Catholic domination and French influence.—
David Brooks,
The Atlantic,
25 Mar. 2026
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Gregory’s win was especially sweet for Florida Democrats, who have been beaten down by years of Republican domination in what was once the consummate battleground state.—
Bill Barrow,
Fortune,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The gatherers chanted pro-monarchy slogans, including wishes of happy birthday to Pahlavi, who was born around the same day in October that Cyrus is said to have conquered Babylon.—
Azadeh Moaveni,
New Yorker,
22 Mar. 2026
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Their country had already conquered global markets with electronics and automobiles.—
Dan Bilefsky,
HollywoodReporter,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The Fighting Illini are dreaming of a trip to the Sweet 16 after a dominating win Thursday night against Penn.—
Ryan Baker,
CBS News,
21 Mar. 2026
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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
Verb
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The Department of Justice and the Treasury subjected the question of whether the change could be made without congressional action to their gimlet-eyed scrutiny, and turned thumbs-down.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Mar. 2026
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Olivera also alleged that Mustafa subjected her to ongoing harassment through social media, emphasizing that the situation left her concerned for her safety and her child’s well-being.—
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Argyle defeated Abilene Wylie 2-0 on Friday.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Mar. 2026
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And the Marlins would defeat one of the worst teams in the history of baseball, the Colorado Rockies, 2-1.—
Greg Cote
Updated March 27,
Miami Herald,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Subjugate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subjugate. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.
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