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

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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

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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
Putin began the year projecting confidence about his campaign to subjugate Ukraine, despite incremental progress on the battlefield. — Nathan Hodge, CNN Money, 11 Mar. 2026 Its founder, Ayatollah Khomeini, established a religious dictatorship that subjugates the Iranian people under sharia law, while zealously exporting its dogma by force. — Elan Journo, Oc Register, 10 Mar. 2026
Noun
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 That power was built up over centuries partly to compensate for the humiliation, subjugation, and grievous bondage of Russia’s history, real and imagined. — Literary Hub, 3 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
  • Cops on foot chased the teen down, using a Taser to subdue him near Rogers Ave.
    — Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 5 July 2026
  • For all the bombast surrounding the official proceedings, beginning with the UFC fight at the White House, elsewhere the mood has seemed subdued.
    — Jake Lundberg, The Atlantic, 3 July 2026
Definition of subdue
Verb
  • The stock-specific approach contrasts with expectations that the surge in Korean and Taiwanese stock markets, dominated by local chip giants, would spill over into China more broadly.
    — Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 7 July 2026
  • Mexico dominated much of the match, yet England overcame playing most of the second half a man down after a red card.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 7 July 2026
Definition of dominate
Verb
  • The Romans conquered this region more than two millennia ago.
    — Jeff Chu, Travel + Leisure, 6 July 2026
  • Game plan for the title fight Gaethje has also conquered the art of performing as an underdog.
    — Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 6 July 2026
Definition of conquer
Verb
  • No individual or corporation may, by becoming sufficiently mistrusted by public opinion or a few public officials, be subjected in court to a wholesale confiscation of its assets beyond what the law permits.
    — David B Mcgarry, Oc Register, 8 July 2026
  • Prosecutors also allege Kulbis subjected Dickey to hazing despite knowing about his medical condition and after receiving university training on sickle cell trait, state laws and NCAA hazing standards.
    — Nicole Acosta, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026
Definition of subject
Verb
  • Egypt defeated Australia 4-2 in a penalty-kick shootout Friday after the teams played to a 1-1 tie after 120 minutes in Arlington, Texas.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 4 July 2026
  • The short version is that after defeating the Kilrathi at the climax of Wing Commander 3, Mark Hamill’s Christopher Blair retires to a backwater world to live out a life in peace and obscurity.
    — Lee Hutchinson, ArsTechnica, 3 July 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 10 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on subjugate

Nglish: Translation of subjugate for Spanish Speakers

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