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
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
The charade looked like something out of a Western movie — American military subjugating yet another Native American tribe.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2025
Ana Karina Zatarain, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2025
If, for example, the EU speeds up delivery of ammunition and drones from existing stock and extends a financial lifeline to Kyiv by confiscating the $250 billion worth of frozen Russian assets sitting in its banks, the Kremlin may not achieve its strategic goal of Ukraine’s subjugation.
—Alexander Gabuev, Foreign Affairs, 26 Aug. 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
The charade looked like something out of a Western movie — American military subjugating yet another Native American tribe.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2025
Noun
The Jiménezes’ version of the wilderness is a space in which dominant symbols and narratives undergo a process of transformation, even subjugation.
—Ana Karina Zatarain, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2025
If, for example, the EU speeds up delivery of ammunition and drones from existing stock and extends a financial lifeline to Kyiv by confiscating the $250 billion worth of frozen Russian assets sitting in its banks, the Kremlin may not achieve its strategic goal of Ukraine’s subjugation.
—Alexander Gabuev, Foreign Affairs, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for subjugate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subjugate
Verb
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Critics panned Lyles’ subdued initial response and blamed the policies of Charlotte officials for failing to prevent the murder.—
Nick Sullivan,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Critically, American surveillance technologies allowed a brutal mass detention campaign in the far west region of Xinjiang — targeting, tracking and grading virtually the entire native Uyghur population to forcibly assimilate and subdue them.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Now, Impacciatore will continue her conquest of America by inserting herself into an even more beloved national franchise.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
4 Sep. 2025
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The domestication of the horse was one of humanity’s great turning points, powering agriculture, trade, migration, and conquest.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
31 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Carr had been a game warden in Northern Rhodesia (as Zambia was then called), where hunting dominated.—
Daniel Scheffler,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
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While oversized leather bomber jackets and trench coats continue to dominate fall trend reports, more voluminous, blanketing silhouettes will surely gain momentum as temperatures begin to plummet.—
Emily Tannenbaum,
Glamour,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Packers’ domination of Detroit just one game?—
Mike Sando,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
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More recently, from 2013 to 2014, Gardin documented the destructive transit of cruise ships through Venice’s delicate canals—a grotesque symbol for the domination of the city, and the country, by tourism and big business.—
Max Norman,
New Yorker,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Deftones’ History on the Streaming Ranking Deftones first conquered the Hard Rock Streaming Songs list just last month.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
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Netanyahu initially said Israel would conquer all of Gaza after indirect talks with Hamas on a ceasefire and hostage release deal broke down in July.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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One player dominating gets tedious very quickly; so does a string of one-time winners.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
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With formats like RealD 3D, 4DX and IMAX 3D dominating premium exhibition, seven of the top ten new releases from May to July made a combined $222 million on 3D screens, or 13% of all tickets sold.—
Gregg Goldstein,
Variety,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Richmond served as the functional center for the chattel slavery system in the United States, the capitol city of the Confederacy during the Civil War and was one of the many cities that subjected residents to redlining lending practices.—
Andrea Riquier,
USA Today,
9 Sep. 2025
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Today, the Court needlessly subjects countless more to these exact same indignities.—
Dan Gooding
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In 2023-24, Jones had a career year for the Mavericks, who were defeated by the Boston Celtics in the 2024 NBA Finals.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
12 Sep. 2025
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Some decisions are prudent, such as the Las Vegas Raiders to defeat the New England Patriots at a nice underdog price.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Subjugate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subjugate. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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