SUBJUGATING Synonyms: 71 Similar and Opposite Words

subjugating 1 of 2

noun

as in conquest

the act or process of bringing someone or something under one's control a military occupation that was seen by the people of that country as just another subjugating by an outside power

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

subjugating

2 of 2

verb

present participle of subjugate

as in conquering

to bring under one's control by force of arms explorers who subjugated the natives in the name of religion

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of subjugating

Noun

The anti-Zionist project of ending Israel’s existence as a Jewish state implies killing, subjugating, or re-exiling more than half of the world’s Jewish population. — David Frum, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026

Verb

Every administration has its own policy agenda and preferences, but this goes beyond that, subjugating science to partisanship and holding research and infrastructure money hostage throughout much of the country. — David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 28 July 2026 Likewise, meekness once meant not becoming weak, but subjugating power to reason – not letting anger take control. — Timothy J. Pawl, The Conversation, 23 Feb. 2026 However, once Hernán Cortés triumphed, the conquistadors went from waging war — vanquishing the Aztecs — to the project of subjugating Indigenous holdouts and building a self-sustaining territory loyal to the crown. — Foreign Correspondent, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for subjugating

Noun

The final breakthrough comes through empathy rather than conquest.

— Solitaire Townsend, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
After he’s randomly slapped by multiple women, Barney commandeers Ted and Marshall’s March Madness bracket to figure out which of his past conquests is sabotaging his love life.

— Erin Strecker, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of conquest

Noun

The market’s focus has shifted rapidly, with gold dominating early in the year before conflict and disruption around the Strait of Hormuz drew attention to oil.

— Inzamam Rashid, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026
Netflix launched in the UK in 2012 as part of its first expansion into Europe, and has since grown into one of the dominating forces in British broadcasting through shows such as Baby Reindeer, The Gentlemen and Adolescence.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of dominating

Verb

The drones rip through the hallways scanning for a threat before disorienting a suspect using flashing lights and subduing them using pepper balls or by ramming into their body, the company says.

— Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
This means the market makers, often called dealers, are the ones that have to play catch-up, adding to volatility instead of subduing it.

— Oliver Renick, CNBC, 23 July 2026

Definition of subduing

Verb

The team would put the players up in hotel rooms with two beds, subjecting Freeman to the incessant clicking of Heyward texting.

— Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026
In general, subjecting your hair to heat over 300 degrees Fahrenheit can cause heat damage in the form of breakage or weakening the hair.

— BestReviews, Mercury News, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of subjecting

Verb

DeSoto won the Class 6A Division II state championship last season, defeating Southlake Carroll in the state semifinals.

— Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Aug. 2026
Boise State started the season 1-1, losing 42-21 to Central Michigan before defeating Portland State 33-22 in a pair of nonconference games.

— Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of defeating

Browse Nearby Words

subjugates

subjugating

subjugation

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Subjugating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subjugating. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of subjugating

noun

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

conscientious

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes