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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The surge of consumer spending on pickleball and other sports in China comes as overall retail sales have been subdued since the pandemic.—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
2 Sep. 2025
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While sales of existing homes have ticked up recently, they are still subdued and prices are flat.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
30 Aug. 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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The division’s ‘Big Six’ dominated spending again, though that was hardly new.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
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In the Chinese foldable phone category, Huawei dominates with a 75% share of the market, according to the International Data Corporation (IDC).—
Arjun Kharpal,
CNBC,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Weaker unions mean workers have less influence over tax policy, leading to elite domination and faster profit growth in low-union companies.—
Teresa Ghilarducci,
Forbes.com,
1 Sep. 2025
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And without a strong political center, Japan will be less able to resist Chinese domination of Asia or sustain international cooperation on free economic exchange.—
Mireya Solís,
Foreign Affairs,
1 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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Alderman Raymond Lopez, a Democrat from Chicago’s 15th Ward, wants Trump to send the National Guard to his city because of the violent crime to which people in his city are subjected.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
4 Sep. 2025
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If an investor who has not sold the IP expatriates for example, valuation of the interest will be included in determining the investor’s net worth and may subject the investor to unexpected taxes as a covered expatriate, for both income and estate tax purposes.—
Priya Prakash Royal Esq. LL.M. MBA AEP TEP,
Forbes.com,
1 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Colleyville Heritage defeated Richland 30-21 in a game halted early in the third quarter after a second lightning delay Friday at Mustang-Panther Stadium.—
Jordan Neal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 Sep. 2025
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Dryden also represented his country several times, most notably helping Team Canada defeat the Soviet Union in the 1972 Summit Series.—
Jesse Granger,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Subjugate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subjugate. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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