subjugate

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

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 It’s gotten there by largely avoiding the trap of remaking the original story, in which an astronaut (Heston) crash-lands on a mysterious world in which apes are the dominant species and humans are subjugated, nonverbal creatures. — Jesse Hassenger, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Sep. 2026 This would rake in untold billions of dollars for the company — and all but ensure that its lofty, moral duty would forever be subjugated the money-making whims of Wall Street. — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 5 Aug. 2026 Every administration has its own policy agenda and preferences, but this goes beyond that, subjugating science to partisanship and holding research and infrastructure money hostage throughout much of the country. — David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 28 July 2026 Russia seeks to subjugate Ukraine and embarrass Europe in its own backyard, while China seeks dominance in East Asia - but their approaches are quite different. — Frank Lavin, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for subjugate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subjugate
  1. subdue
  2. dominate
  3. conquer
  4. subject
  5. defeat
Verb
  • Two nurses helped subdue the actress, who was taken to the hospital for evaluation.
    — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The interplay between the vocal harmonies phasing from side to side is clear, though the upper melody sounds subdued during the track's busier sections.
    — Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of subdue
Verb
  • Apple and Samsung also continue to dominate the smartphone market.
    — Sam Birchall, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The problem for Weiss and the new leadership is that the US’ relationship with Israel and Israel’s military actions in the Middle East seems increasingly poised to dominate electoral politics in the coming years.
    — semafor.com, semafor.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of dominate
Verb
  • Before conquering Hollywood, Ali played Division I basketball (standing at six feet four) and released rap albums under the name Prince Ali.
    — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The announcement comes after a summer in which AI models have repeatedly conquered many of math’s longstanding open challenges, including one of the seven Millennium Prize Problems.
    — Rachel Crowell, Scientific American, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of conquer
Verb
  • The company then needs to incorporate that hardware into a complete Neutron first stage, and then subject that stage to a battery of tests.
    — Mike Wall, Space.com, 16 Oct. 2026
  • According to prosecutors, intelligence officers attacked him from behind, causing a serious back injury, and subsequently subjected him to electric shocks.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of subject
Verb
  • Jackson was suspended for striking Bills linebacker Bradley Chubb in the face after the Bills defeated the Rams, 37-34, in overtime on Monday night.
    — Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Voters, though, decisively defeated a repeal measure in 1942.
    — Jeremy Kohler, ProPublica, 15 Oct. 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 21 Oct. 2026.

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