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.
Examples of subjugate in a Sentence
Billy J. Stratton, The Conversation, 7 Apr. 2025
The fundamental cause of the war—Russia's aggressive imperialistic ambition to subjugate Ukraine and eliminate its sovereignty—will not disappear after any ceasefire.
—Shane Croucher, Newsweek, 29 Dec. 2024
Western officials and analysts reject this, saying Putin wants to subjugate Ukraine, drawing it into Russia’s sphere of influence and away from its European tilt.
—Alexander Smith, NBC News, 14 Mar. 2025
Something bigger and more powerful than us finally and forever overtaking us, subjugating us.
—Eli Amdur, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for subjugate
Cite this Entry
“Subjugate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subjugate. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
subjugate
verb
Share