subjugation

noun

Definition of subjugationnext
as in conquest
the act or process of bringing someone or something under one's control the subjugation of much of Europe by Napoléon

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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 subjugation The film, about Spain’s colonial subjugation of the Philippines, is one of the Filipino auteur’s shorter features running ‘only’ 2 hours 31 minutes. — Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 20 Aug. 2026 The Civil War breaking out just a century later showcases why white supremacy and the subjugation of Black people and people of color have meant a certain level of instability for many American citizens since the very beginning. — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 24 June 2026 Baldwin’s position was that the centrality of slavery and racial subjugation in American history could not simply be reversed by legislative fiat. — Hua Hsu, New Yorker, 22 June 2026 Maybe the typical wedding remains an exercise in female subjugation and compulsory heterosexuality, but straight women aren’t the only characters suffering at the altar. — Judy Berman, Time, 27 May 2026 For many Indians, the loss of the Koh-i-Noor is symbolic of the country's subjugation under colonial rule. — Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 29 Apr. 2026 Across TikTok, Instagram, Threads, YouTube, Goodreads, and Reddit, reactions have focused less on the craft of fiction writing than on the spiritual subjugation of women that any media about this topic must, by nature, interrogate and include. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 28 Apr. 2026 That power was built up over centuries partly to compensate for the humiliation, subjugation, and grievous bondage of Russia’s history, real and imagined. — Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026 In pre-Christian Ireland, sucking breasts was a way of showing subjugation to a king and the cutting out of Old Croghan Man’s nipples is, historians believe, an indication that he had been thus stripped of his claims to kingship. — Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 17 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subjugation
  1. conquest
  2. domination
  3. dominating
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 Quad continues to show potential as the regional maritime coalition that could limit Chinese domination of Asian waters.
    — C. Raja Mohan, Foreign Affairs, 27 Aug. 2026
  • In a week, pro and college football will resume their TV domination.
    — Dan Shanoff, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of domination
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

Browse Nearby Words

subjugating
subjugation
subjugator
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Cite this Entry

“Subjugation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subjugation. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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