Synonyms of subjugate

subjugate 1 of 2

verb

ˈsəb-ji-ˌgāt 

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

• subdue
• dominate
• conquer
• subject
• defeat
• enslave
• overcome
• vanquish
• subordinate
• pacify
• overpower
• reduce
• crush
• annihilate
• beat
• smash
• suppress
• lick
• whip
• prevail (over)
• triumph (over)
• quell
• rout
• mow (down)
• repress
• trounce
• thrash
• clobber
• quash
• smother
• squelch
• silence
• drub
• squash
• put down
• crack down (on)
• wallop
• snuff (out)
• skunk
• break
• clamp down (on)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• liberate
• emancipate
• enfranchise
• free
• release
• discharge
• manumit
• spring
• unbind
• unfetter
• unchain
• uncage

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

• conquest
• domination
• dominating
• subjection
• takeover
• subduing
• subjugating
• subjecting
• victory
• vanquishing
• overpowering
• enslavement
• defeat
• triumph
• whipping
• win
• winning
• trimming
• drubbing
• licking
• beating
• trouncing
• shellacking

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• liberation
• emancipation
• release
• freeing
• enfranchisement
• manumission

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of subjugate

Verb

More generally, the movie, directed by Elegance Bratton, is about the historical context of this murder, the conscious and organized effort by white Southern citizens and officials to intimidate, persecute, and subjugate Black people. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026

In fact, in this retelling, their free will and autonomy are essential elements of that virtuous cycle, rather than subjugated by it. — Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 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