SUBJUGATION Synonyms: 29 Similar and Opposite Words

subjugation

noun

Definition of subjugation

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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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

Noun

Reckoning with the bloody history of global conquest has become a task for all museums whose collections are legacies of colonial control.

— Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026
As ruler of the Olympian gods, Zeus occupied a central position in Greek mythology; following Rome’s conquest of Greece, he became associated with the Roman god Jupiter while continuing to be depicted according to classical sculptural conventions.

— Anne Doran, ARTnews.com, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of conquest

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

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

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subjugating

subjugation

subjugator

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

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Synonyms of subjugation

noun

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