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

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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

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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 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

For Putin, these were not goodwill gestures but measures of self-preservation designed to advance his broader aim of subjugating Ukraine. — Eric Ciaramella, Foreign Affairs, 14 Oct. 2026 The ruling was widely seen by progressives as subjugating the role of the individual in the election process to that of the corporation. — Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 Sep. 2026 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

For decades, the United States favored an international order that forbade wars of conquest, upheld freedom of the seas, maintained a generally open global economy, and allowed populations to exercise democratic rights, even if autocracies remained.

— Andrea Kendall-Taylor, Foreign Affairs, 16 Oct. 2026
Napoleon Bonaparte, having already lost half a million soldiers in Russia, was still an emperor dreaming of new conquests.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of conquest

Verb

Marsh argued conquering the global market means knowing differences between international markets.

— Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2026
Before conquering Hollywood, Ali played Division I basketball (standing at six feet four) and released rap albums under the name Prince Ali.

— The New Yorker, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of conquering

Noun

The Milwaukee Brewers are headed to the World Series after a dominating sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers, the reigning two-time champions.

— Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026
In the books, Xaden is described as a large, dominating wing leader with dark, intimidating features who is highly revered by the rest of the Basgiath War College.

— Isabelle Farina, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of dominating

Verb

The school's head teacher, Krzysztof Ochmanski, was injured while subduing the teenager, officials said.

— James Cirrone, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026
The handful of Israeli passengers grappled with the copilot for several minutes before subduing him and binding his hands with the cord from a set of headphones.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of subduing

Noun

During the Cold War, Washington cast itself as the defender of the free world against totalitarian domination; Moscow portrayed itself as the patron of national liberation against Western colonialism.

— NIALL FERGUSON, Foreign Affairs, 20 Oct. 2026
At the Orange County cross-country championships, Trabuco Hills won the boys title and JSerra continued its domination in girls.

— Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of domination

Verb

Today’s higher yields can also reward you with interest income from your cash without subjecting you to excessive interest rate risk.

— Darla Mercado, CFP®, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026
The Times and the Express-News reported this year that Texas’ multi-billion-dollar investment in school policing had transformed discipline, subjecting thousands of students to physical force, at times over seemingly minor misconduct.

— Kristian Hernández, San Antonio Express-News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of subjecting

Verb

Fernandes points out the prevalence of tactical voting — when voters abandon their preferred candidate for one with a better chance of winning or defeating a rival — as an explanation for the first-round surprise in early October.

— Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2026
Eisenkot argued that Israel needed to concentrate its military resources on defeating Hamas in the south before embarking on another major conflict.

— Eric Cortellessa, Time, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of defeating

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subjugates

subjugating

subjugation

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“Subjugating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subjugating. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of subjugating

noun

verb

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