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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Recent Examples of subjugation
After weeks of subjugation at Linda's hands, Bradley discovers that his fiancée and her boat guide had come to the island to rescue them—but Linda killed the pair to avoid returning to the real world.
—
Megan McCluskey, Time, 30 Jan. 2026
America is rooted in the rejection of arbitrary power and the subjugation of the individual to the state.
—Agustina Vergara Cid, Oc Register, 23 Jan. 2026
By the closing epilogue of the MM romance novel, the author must figure out how to create honest stakes for a gay couple in an overwhelmingly heteronormative context that threatens the heroes with societal subjugation and maybe even physical punishment.
—Literary Hub, 22 Jan. 2026
If the alternative is subjugation, Europeans could well rise to such a challenge.
—Robert Kagan, The Atlantic, 18 Jan. 2026
This aggressive subjugation of a country that was not, in fact, a threat to the United States doesn’t make America safer or more prosperous and likely makes the whole region less stable.
—Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026
This level of dealmaking far exceeds the bowling alley bets and small-time street gambles that have shaped Marty’s way of moving in the world, and Rockwell represents the kind of ruthless American capitalism and competition that requires humiliation and subjugation.
—Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 25 Dec. 2025
Some have also seized the opportunity to revive familiar nationalist rhetoric, invoking longstanding grievances over Japan’s subjugation of much of China in the 1930s and 40s.
—Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Nov. 2025
The United States has supported Ukraine in resisting Russia’s attempt at subjugation, sending billions of dollars’ worth of advanced weaponry to its armed forces.
—Rebecca Lissner, Foreign Affairs, 14 Nov. 2025
Megan McCluskey, Time, 30 Jan. 2026
America is rooted in the rejection of arbitrary power and the subjugation of the individual to the state.
—Agustina Vergara Cid, Oc Register, 23 Jan. 2026
By the closing epilogue of the MM romance novel, the author must figure out how to create honest stakes for a gay couple in an overwhelmingly heteronormative context that threatens the heroes with societal subjugation and maybe even physical punishment.
—Literary Hub, 22 Jan. 2026
If the alternative is subjugation, Europeans could well rise to such a challenge.
—Robert Kagan, The Atlantic, 18 Jan. 2026
This aggressive subjugation of a country that was not, in fact, a threat to the United States doesn’t make America safer or more prosperous and likely makes the whole region less stable.
—Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026
This level of dealmaking far exceeds the bowling alley bets and small-time street gambles that have shaped Marty’s way of moving in the world, and Rockwell represents the kind of ruthless American capitalism and competition that requires humiliation and subjugation.
—Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 25 Dec. 2025
Some have also seized the opportunity to revive familiar nationalist rhetoric, invoking longstanding grievances over Japan’s subjugation of much of China in the 1930s and 40s.
—Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Nov. 2025
The United States has supported Ukraine in resisting Russia’s attempt at subjugation, sending billions of dollars’ worth of advanced weaponry to its armed forces.
—Rebecca Lissner, Foreign Affairs, 14 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subjugation
Noun
-
The conquest of Gaul is hailed as a great military feat.—
Paul Vanderbroeck,
Big Think,
9 Feb. 2026
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Viewpoint girls begin conquest for second straight title The Patriots will enter the Division 4 bracket, one division higher than the bracket Viewpoint championed in 2024.—
Justin Vigil Zuniga,
Daily News,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Step into the domination station and enjoy.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Feb. 2026
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Advertisement In the poetry of his performance, Bad Bunny showed that love is not domination.—
Taylor Crumpton,
Time,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
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After years of oversized, floor-sweeping fur dominating winter street style, the mood is shifting toward something more subtle—but every bit as fabulous.—
Daisy Maldonado,
InStyle,
6 Feb. 2026
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Yet despite its dominating presence on Wall Street, OpenAI is getting cold feet about the company’s offerings.—
Victor Tangermann,
Futurism,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Subjugation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subjugation. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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