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
Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
The display features replicas of historical tools used to subjugate communities of color, including an interactive consensus that allows insight into how people would have been categorized over time.
—Sophia Arndt, Twin Cities, 22 Nov. 2025
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
Not forcing her to go means hurting the other girl, forcing her to go means teaching your daughter that her own comfort should be subjugated to make someone else happy.
—Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
The display features replicas of historical tools used to subjugate communities of color, including an interactive consensus that allows insight into how people would have been categorized over time.
—Sophia Arndt, Twin Cities, 22 Nov. 2025
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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Rooms are a bit subdued, in creams and whites, though a pop of color is provided here and there.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 Feb. 2026
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Three bystanders managed to subdue the shooter, who then reached for a second handgun and died by suicide, police say.—
Mark Reynolds,
The Providence Journal,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Disaster serves as a chronometric device, in contrast to dynasty, conquest, Soviet power, or climate crisis.—
Anel Rakhimzhanova,
Artforum,
1 Mar. 2026
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In recent years, especially, he’s been recognized as a primary example of Western Europe’s conquest of the New World, its resources and its native peoples.—
Tess Kenny,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The Panthers dominated wire-to-wire for a 5-1 win over the Maple Leafs at Amerant Bank Arena in their first game back following the NHL’s Olympic break.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
27 Feb. 2026
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But the man who absolutely dominated the game from day 1 was still more than satisfied to prove people’s assumptions about him wrong.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The Highlanders repeated as champions of last weekend’s 88th Annual National Prep Wrestling Tournament at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania and did so in domination fashion.—
Buddy Collings,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 Feb. 2026
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Dean’s domination extends to the ARIA Albums Chart, as The Art Of Loving returns to the top spot for a ninth non-consecutive cycle.—
Lars Brandle,
Billboard,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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After the 12th and 13th centuries, archaeologists could confirm that nature conquered the settlement, pointing to its abandonment.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
1 Mar. 2026
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There was something about the footprints disappearing in the powder dusting the sidewalks, the heaps of dirty snow that the kids tried to conquer like Everest, and dogs nearly my size scratching their backs on a tiny patch of ice that resonated with me.—
Leslie Hsu Oh,
Outside,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Despite dominating possession, the defending MLS champions trailed 2-0 at halftime following a 3-0 shutout in the MLS season opener at LAFC last weekend.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
2 Mar. 2026
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Yasmin sees that Harper feels this deep necessity in her bones to be a world killer and a dominating presence.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
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There is a real concern that what remains of the system may seek revenge for these events, targeting prisoners and political activists who are still outside prison, detaining them, and subjecting them to executions or severe punishments.—
Cora Engelbrecht,
New Yorker,
1 Mar. 2026
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In a nutshell, wastewater recycling works by first physically filtering the water, then subjecting it to reverse osmosis, and finally purifying it with ultraviolet light.—
Frank Landymore,
Futurism,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Newsom successfully defeated the most recent recall attempt in 2021.—
David Mark,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Feb. 2026
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In a September 1, 1939, article, the Bombers claimed their second consecutive state championship on August 27, 1939, behind the pitching of Lillian Brown, who defeated the Manette girls’ team 11-3.—
Sarah Dewberry,
CNN Money,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Subjugate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subjugate. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.
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