Since jugus means "yoke" in Latin, subjugate means literally "bring under the yoke". Farmers control oxen by means of a heavy wooden yoke over their shoulders. In ancient Rome, conquered soldiers, stripped of their uniforms, might actually be forced to pass under an ox yoke as a sign of submission to the Roman victors. Even without an actual yoke, what happens to a population that has come under the control of another can be every bit as humiliating. In dozens of countries throughout the world, ethnic minorities are denied basic rights and view themselves as subjugated by their country's government, army, and police.
The emperor's armies subjugated the surrounding lands.
a people subjugated by invaders
Recent Examples on the WebIts agenda of Hindu supremacy directs antipathy toward India’s Muslim minority, deeming the population an alien presence that subjugated Hindus in a series of historical conquests.—Andrew Cockburn, Harper's Magazine, 20 Aug. 2024 Leading his fellow countrymen, Tell embarks on a courageous rebellion, seeking to defend their liberty and stand against the tyrannical forces that seek to subjugate them.—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 6 Sep. 2024 Here were Haitians asserting their culture in a country that subjugated them to their own for centuries.—Shelcy Joseph, Essence, 2 Aug. 2024 Few politicians have so thoroughly capitulated and subjugated themselves to Trump in the hopes of advancing their own political careers.—Scott Maxwell, Orlando Sentinel, 16 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for subjugate
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'subjugate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Latin subjugatus, past participle of subjugare, from sub- + jugum yoke — more at yoke
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