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
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
Sophia Arndt, Twin Cities, 22 Nov. 2025
But these moves and a little patience could help set the conditions for a resolution over time—one that doesn’t involve Russia destroying and subjugating its neighbor.
—Thomas Wright, The Atlantic, 11 Nov. 2025
Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026
This level of dealmaking far exceeds the bowling alley bets and small-time street gambles that have shaped Marty’s way of moving in the world, and Rockwell represents the kind of ruthless American capitalism and competition that requires humiliation and subjugation.
—Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 25 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for subjugate
Verb
The display features replicas of historical tools used to subjugate communities of color, including an interactive consensus that allows insight into how people would have been categorized over time.
—Sophia Arndt, Twin Cities, 22 Nov. 2025
But these moves and a little patience could help set the conditions for a resolution over time—one that doesn’t involve Russia destroying and subjugating its neighbor.
—Thomas Wright, The Atlantic, 11 Nov. 2025
Noun
This aggressive subjugation of a country that was not, in fact, a threat to the United States doesn’t make America safer or more prosperous and likely makes the whole region less stable.
—Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026
This level of dealmaking far exceeds the bowling alley bets and small-time street gambles that have shaped Marty’s way of moving in the world, and Rockwell represents the kind of ruthless American capitalism and competition that requires humiliation and subjugation.
—Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 25 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for subjugate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subjugate
Verb
-
Lighting throughout the camp is deliberately subdued, with warm-temperature luminaires and dim solar path lights that create minimal pollution and allow for maximum Milky Way views.—
Megan Eaves,
Outside,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Likewise, the permacrisis in the economy, which endured despite Caracas’ introduction of a national crypto currency, the Petro, to bypass US sanctions, or the central bank’s removal of five zeros from the national currency, the Bolivar, to subdue hyperinflation.—
Stefano Pozzebon,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The horse also proved indispensable in the Spanish conquest of Mexico in 1521.—
Foreign Correspondent,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Athenians enjoyed democracy at home while sanctioning brutal conquest abroad.—
Carol Quillen,
Time,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Rather than allowing a single hero product to dominate, Safdie expanded the narrative across collections, pushing further into tailoring and Old Hollywood references.—
Amy Francombe,
Vogue,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The rooms Mojave Sands has just five rooms—two suites and three guest rooms—and each one of them feels deliberately out of step with the rustic aesthetic that dominates much of Joshua Tree.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The reasons for this domination are simple.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Some Republican states are pushing to reduce the American Bar Association’s long domination in accrediting law schools.—
Ella Lee,
The Hill,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Within just two million years of the Great Dying, these animals had already conquered diverse global niches — showing how quickly life rebounded and radiated following the planet’s most severe mass extinction.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Few, if any, gave them a chance against the all-conquering Soviets, especially given the fact the American team had been humbled 10-3 in an exhibition game at Madison Square Garden just days before the Games started.—
Patrick Snell,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
With Metro Surge dominating headlines nationwide and around the world, photos and video captured by observers were shaping public opinion of the operation.—
Nick Woltman,
Twin Cities,
22 Feb. 2026
-
After years of almond nails dominating, square nails have been on the rise with Taylor Swift co-signing the trend.—
Lina-Marie Baatz,
Glamour,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In recent decades, Murdoch, now 94, has subjected his oldest adult children to withering takedowns and has also pitted them against one another.—
The Week US,
TheWeek,
18 Feb. 2026
-
The appeals court also found that testimony presented to the grand jury through the ISP investigator subjected Kilkelly to a prejudicial denial of due process, and that dismissal of the original charges by Judge Fix was proper.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Sherman Oaks Notre Dame defeated Corona Centennial 59-56.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Feb. 2026
-
That particular corner was filled with pink shirts and defeated faces, and Salloi stood in front of them, fingers in the corners of his mouth, drawing his smile wide like the Joker.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Subjugate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subjugate. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
