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
Relevance
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
Astha Rajvanshi, NBC news, 16 July 2025
This defeatism has been supported by a second, equally pernicious assumption: that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s commitment to subjugating Ukraine cannot be deterred.
—Michael Carpenter, Foreign Affairs, 1 July 2025
Braiding traditions across the African diaspora both predate and defy the colonial confines set forth to erase and subjugate Black communities.
—Essence, 19 June 2025
Barry offers audiences entry into a sinister world driven by greed, power and the desire to subjugate others.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for subjugate
Verb
However, the 50-day window has been criticized by some European officials and experts, who have asked why Trump is giving additional time to Putin, who has repeatedly stated his desire to subjugate Ukraine.
—Astha Rajvanshi, NBC news, 16 July 2025
This defeatism has been supported by a second, equally pernicious assumption: that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s commitment to subjugating Ukraine cannot be deterred.
—Michael Carpenter, Foreign Affairs, 1 July 2025
Braiding traditions across the African diaspora both predate and defy the colonial confines set forth to erase and subjugate Black communities.
—Essence, 19 June 2025
Barry offers audiences entry into a sinister world driven by greed, power and the desire to subjugate others.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for subjugate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subjugate
Verb
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Chatter in a crowded room, the grind of metal on train tracks and the boisterous wall of sound backstage at a gig were also effectively subdued but not completely obliterated.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
22 Aug. 2025
-
As with every Premier League ground, the effects of the stadiums going all-seater and ticket price rises in the 1990s subdued the atmosphere, but safe standing is now a thing and stadiums are better for it.—
Andy Mitten,
New York Times,
20 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The result: The obstacles to the far right’s blueprint for conquest and ethnic cleansing have been removed, and its agenda has effectively become Netanyahu’s policy.—
Yair Rosenberg,
The Atlantic,
7 Aug. 2025
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But for now, the Sky are charting a course toward a disastrous result for the entire league — handing the Lynx even more ammunition to load up for yet another WNBA title conquest.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
30 July 2025
Verb
-
Doubles grew to be dominated by specialists, especially among men.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
17 Aug. 2025
-
Once dominated by legacy brands, like L’Oréal, Unilever, Estée Lauder, P&G, LVMH, and Chanel, the $650B sector has transformed significantly, with the explosive growth of new brands like e.l.f., AI technology, and social media.—
Dean DeBiase,
Forbes.com,
17 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The Brewers’ overall domination of the Reds continued, despite the Reds taking the final game of the three-game series.—
C. Trent Rosecrans,
New York Times,
18 Aug. 2025
-
Yet Tebas’ desire to play games on American soil is exactly the kind of endeavor that makes two-club domination harder to escape.—
Ian Nicholas Quillen,
Forbes.com,
16 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Indeed, Trump, who typically blames Ukraine for having been invaded, configures Putin’s Russia as eager for peace, even though Moscow has spent the summer relentlessly attacking civilian targets in Ukraine and pushing to conquer more territory.—
MICHAEL KIMMAGE,
Foreign Affairs,
19 Aug. 2025
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Mao Zedong is said to have suggested that anyone who couldn’t tolerate chiles couldn’t be a revolutionary; all over the world, and for centuries, spiciness has been something to conquer, and chiles have symbolized strength, bravery, national pride, and virility.—
Ellen Cushing,
The Atlantic,
18 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Additional sanctions could subject Robinson to probation, suspension, termination or a host of possible penalties related to promotions, tenure or salary, according to IU code.—
Cate Charron,
IndyStar,
15 Aug. 2025
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Having to subject yourself to a room that’s hot as hell could deter you from taking a class altogether—leading you to miss out on all the benefits of exercise that are just as abundant in mild temps.—
Erica Sloan,
SELF,
8 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Hamas is severely weakened but not defeated Hamas has suffered heavy losses through nearly two years of war.—
Samy Magdy,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Aug. 2025
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The strength of record metric rewards teams for defeating quality opponents and minimizes the penalty for losing to good teams.—
Blake Toppmeyer,
USA TODAY,
21 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Subjugate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subjugate. Accessed 30 Aug. 2025.
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