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

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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
This campy, reality-shifting comedy series questions what would happen if a flaming misogynist woke up in a world that was completely matriarchal and subjugated men based on their gender. — Madeleine Janz, PEOPLE, 30 Apr. 2026 Everflame is set in a world where mortals live in poverty, subjugated by an elite race known as the Descended. — Denise Petski, Deadline, 17 Apr. 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
  • The drones rip through the hallways scanning for a threat before disorienting a suspect using flashing lights and subduing them using pepper balls or by ramming into their body, the company says.
    — Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
  • The event reveals the cooperative hunting strategies of orcas, where multiple individuals work together to isolate and subdue large prey.
    — Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of subdue
Verb
  • Spooked investors have even sued Supermicro for securities fraud, fearing that the company’s sales may be dominated by such illicit sales.
    — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 24 Aug. 2026
  • That machine is the Hyperliquid DeFi platform, which is dominating the perpetual futures trade and using its fee income to burn HYPE tokens.
    — Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of dominate
Verb
  • Several other Carpenter tracks have come close to conquering the roster but missed out by a space or two.
    — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Minnesota’s top-end talent continues to trump the depth of the Valkyries, whose success conquering the margins doesn’t seem to work against the Lynx’s magic.
    — Marcus Thompson II, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of conquer
Verb
  • Engineers can now subject countermeasure systems to extreme forces without putting aircraft and aircrew into early-stage evaluations.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Lebson alleged that Russian authorities have subjected Gilman to mistreatment, including harassment, forced exercise sessions lasting up to 16 hours and the administration of psychotropic drugs.
    — Margaret Brennan, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of subject
Verb
  • Sending a message to a friend in the same city seems, at least in my opinion, to defeat the purpose.
    — Greta Cross, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Against this testing backdrop, Jakirovic guided Hull to an incredible promotion, defeating Middlesbrough 1-0 in May’s play-off final after finishing sixth in the regular campaign.
    — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 20 Aug. 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 26 Aug. 2026.

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