Synonyms of subjugate

subjugate 1 of 2

verb

ˈsəb-ji-ˌgāt 

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

• subdue
• dominate
• conquer
• subject
• defeat
• enslave
• overcome
• vanquish
• subordinate
• pacify
• overpower
• reduce
• crush
• annihilate
• beat
• smash
• suppress
• lick
• whip
• prevail (over)
• triumph (over)
• quell
• rout
• mow (down)
• repress
• trounce
• thrash
• clobber
• quash
• smother
• squelch
• silence
• drub
• squash
• put down
• crack down (on)
• wallop
• snuff (out)
• skunk
• break
• clamp down (on)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• liberate
• emancipate
• enfranchise
• free
• release
• discharge
• manumit
• spring
• unbind
• unfetter
• unchain
• uncage

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

• conquest
• domination
• dominating
• subjection
• takeover
• subduing
• subjugating
• subjecting
• victory
• vanquishing
• overpowering
• enslavement
• defeat
• triumph
• whipping
• win
• winning
• trimming
• drubbing
• licking
• beating
• trouncing
• shellacking

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• liberation
• emancipation
• release
• freeing
• enfranchisement
• manumission

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of subjugate

Verb

For decades, the Russian leader has worked to subjugate Ukraine. — Michael McFaul, Foreign Affairs, 27 Oct. 2026

The ruling was widely seen by progressives as subjugating the role of the individual in the election process to that of the corporation. — Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 Sep. 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