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subjugate 1 of 2

verb

ˈsəb-ji-ˌgāt How to pronounce subjugate (audio)
Definition of subjugatenext
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

subjugation

2 of 2

noun

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of subjugate
Verb
This would rake in untold billions of dollars for the company — and all but ensure that its lofty, moral duty would forever be subjugated the money-making whims of Wall Street. — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 5 Aug. 2026 Every administration has its own policy agenda and preferences, but this goes beyond that, subjugating science to partisanship and holding research and infrastructure money hostage throughout much of the country. — David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 28 July 2026
Noun
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 See All Example Sentences for subjugate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subjugate
  1. subdue
  2. dominate
  3. conquer
  4. subject
  5. defeat
Verb
  • As the President sat down to eat with the press corps, a would-be assassin stormed through a security checkpoint before being subdued by the Secret Service.
    — Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026
  • According to Tisch, Cisneros then waved her knives and began to advance on the officers, who attempted to subdue the woman with a Taser before employing lethal force.
    — Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of subdue
Verb
  • But this time, the debate is not about the widespread push for cell phone bans that have dominated recent legislative sessions and school policies.
    — Erin Mote, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Room for Disagreement A challenging path to legislation won’t stop AI from dominating the political landscape.
    — Ashley Gold, semafor.com, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of dominate
Verb
  • Women have conquered space and awareness, helping to broaden the very concept of leadership.
    — WWD Staff, Footwear News, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Mizzou tripped Kansas 42-31 last season in Columbia, went 4-1 against the Jayhawks uninterrupted from 2007-11 at Arrowhead Stadium and also conquered KU 42-17 in 2006 at Memorial Stadium in Columbia.
    — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of conquer
Verb
  • It is noted by one agent that, even though there are players Liverpool would happily have sold this summer and last, Hughes and his staff preferred to treat them respectfully rather than subject them to the ‘bomb squad’ treatment some clubs prefer.
    — James Pearce, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • The beds can contain hundreds of blocks laid out in a grid, growing progressively deeper so an aircraft slows without subjecting the landing gear — or the people aboard — to extreme deceleration forces that can be deadly in a crash.
    — Pete Muntean, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of subject
Verb
  • Lionel Messi scored the 100th goal of his Inter Miami career and Casemiro added another as Miami defeated Cruz Azul 2-0 on Wednesday night to win the Campeones Cup.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026
  • That victory in Week 12, was the Chiefs’ last until defeating the Broncos in Week 1 on Monday.
    — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of defeat

Browse Nearby Words

subjoins
subjugate
subjugated
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Cite this Entry

“Subjugate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subjugate. Accessed 19 Sep. 2026.

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