verb
subjugate
SUHBD-zhuu-guht
Subjugate (verb) means to conquer a people or country and force them into submission. Example: “The invading army subjugated the region within a year.”
verb
1
To conquer a people or country and force them into submission.
"So the battle went on till her heart was sick. She had several more boys to subjugate before she could establish herself."
— David Herbert Lawrence, The Man’s World (1915)
"The invading army subjugated the region within a year."
"Other nationalisms aimed at liberating subjugated peoples who spoke the same language and lived in the same territory."
— Amos Elon, Israelis & Palestinians: What Went Wrong? (2002)
2
To make someone or something subordinate or dependent on another.
"He accused the company of subjugating workers' rights to profit."
How to use subjugate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo force people or things completely under your control, usually by domination or conquest.
Common mistake
Subjugate is stronger and more political/historical than subdue — it implies lasting domination, not just calming someone down.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
subjugate a nation
subjugated people
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Word forms
- Plural
- subjugates
- Third person singular
- subjugates
- Past tense
- subjugated
- Archaic forms
- subjugatest, subjugatedst, subjugateth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The invading army _____ the region within a year.
Etymology
From Latin subiugō, "to make subject" — from sub- ("under") plus iugum ("a yoke"), the same root that gives us "yoke."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for subjugate
See all rhymes for subjugate →Frequently asked questions
What does “subjugate” mean?
The word “subjugate” means to conquer a people or country and force them into submission. In plain terms, to force people or things completely under your control, usually by domination or conquest.
How do you pronounce “subjugate”?
“Subjugate” is pronounced SUHBD-zhuu-guht (/ˈsʌbd͡ʒəɡət/ in IPA).
How do you use “subjugate” in a sentence?
Here is “subjugate” used in a sentence: “The invading army subjugated the region within a year.”
What part of speech is “subjugate”?
“Subjugate” is a verb.
Where does the word “subjugate” come from?
The word “subjugate” comes from Latin. From Latin subiugō, "to make subject" — from sub- ("under") plus iugum ("a yoke"), the same root that gives us "yoke.".
How many meanings does “subjugate” have?
“Subjugate” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to conquer a people or country and force them into submission.
