subjugate

verb

sub·​ju·​gate ˈsəb-ji-ˌgāt 

subjugated; subjugating

transitive verb

1

: to bring under control and governance as a subject : conquer

2

: to make submissive : subdue

subjugation

ˌsəb-ji-ˈgā-shən 

noun

subjugator

ˈsəb-ji-ˌgā-tər 

noun

Did you know?

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.

Synonyms

• conquer
• dominate
• overpower
• pacify
• subdue
• subject
• subordinate
• vanquish

Examples of subjugate in a Sentence

The emperor's armies subjugated the surrounding lands.

a people subjugated by invaders

Recent Examples on the Web

Though Black residents of British colonies in the Caribbean were typically governed by slave codes designed to subjugate them and support white supremacy, the British Army refused to subject the man to these harsh measures. —Kinsey Gidick, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Dec. 2024

In both Syria and Iraq, the security of the central government depended on Iran—and because Iran is a Shiite sectarian power, the Sunnis ended up ignored, subjugated, or just plain shafted. —Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 2 Dec. 2024

Jerry’s shock-and-awe ground invasion is positively inelegant compared to Cannon’s method of subjugating populations. —Katie Rife, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2024

Her physical self lies beneath consideration, eaten by a memoir, subjugated and brutalized to prop up an identity. —Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 21 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin subjugatus, past participle of subjugare, from sub- + jugum yoke — more at yoke

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

subjugate

verb

sub·​ju·​gate ˈsəb-ji-ˌgāt 

subjugated; subjugating

1

: to bring under control and rule as a subject : conquer

2

: to make willing to submit to others : subdue

subjugation

ˌsəb-ji-ˈgā-shən 

noun

subjugator

ˈsəb-ji-ˌgāt-ər 

noun