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
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 Russia seeks to subjugate Ukraine and embarrass Europe in its own backyard, while China seeks dominance in East Asia - but their approaches are quite different. — Frank Lavin, Forbes.com, 27 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
  • That subjectivity and secrecy over how a winner is selected also builds suspense, particularly in the years that follow an era dominated by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, where a deeper pool of candidates now swims.
    — Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • If someone dominates the conversation, redirect attention to what the group is trying to accomplish.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of dominate
Verb
  • Until that point, Birmingham had looked dangerous, conquering the space vacated by City’s adventurous full-backs (in fact, Oceane Hurtre robbed a dithering Jade Rose on the edge of stoppage time for a consolation goal).
    — Katie Whyatt, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Back then, Below Deck hadn’t yet launched in the Mediterranean, the Housewives hadn’t yet conquered Potomac, and there were no Traitors, Summer House, or Mormon Wives to speak of.
    — Ali Barthwell, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of conquer
Verb
  • Meta may end up subjecting its users, regardless of age, to age verification practices that may include requiring a government ID and biometric scans.
    — Elizabeth Gulino, Allure, 2 Sep. 2026
  • But leaving a stone or steel in the bottom of your oven could subject it to unintentional splatters and spills.
    — Adam Campbell-Schmitt, Bon Appetit Magazine, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of subject
Verb
  • Steph Talbot scored 19 points as Australia defeated Puerto Rico 70-54 to get its campaign off to a winning start.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The Leipzig scenes are both ephemeral and integral; later, Taro will speculate that if the Germans had had the same revolutionary zeal as the Spanish, Hitler might have been defeated.
    — Damon Wise, Deadline, 3 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 8 Sep. 2026.

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