What does subjugate mean?
Subjugate is a formal verb meaning to bring someone or something under the power and control of another, especially through conquest, intimidation, or force. Its strongest and most common use concerns the domination of people or nations: an army may subjugate a country, or a ruler may subjugate an opposing group. The word carries a distinctly negative tone because it implies a severe loss of freedom, independence, or resistance. In more figurative contexts, a performance, emotion, or idea can subjugate an audience or the imagination, meaning that it overwhelms or completely commands attention. Subjugate is related to the Latin verb subjugare, formed from sub- meaning ‘under’ and jugum, meaning ‘yoke’; the word’s history reflects the idea of placing someone beneath another’s control, much as an animal might be brought under a yoke.
verbTo bring under the control or authority of another, especially by force or coercion. It can also mean to defeat someone or something so completely that it can no longer resist.
- To bring a person, people, or territory under control or authority, especially by force.
"The invaders sought to subjugate the entire region and impose their rule."
"The ruler used a combination of intimidation and negotiation to subjugate the rival clans."
"Her brilliant performance completely subjugated the audience, leaving them silent in amazement."
To subjugate someone is not merely to defeat them, but to bring them under someone else’s power.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does subjugate come from?
Subjugate comes from Latin subjugare, meaning ‘to bring under the yoke’ or ‘to subject to authority.’ It combines the prefix sub-, ‘under,’ with jugum, ‘yoke,’ a term associated with controlling or harnessing animals. The word entered English during the early modern period, when English was drawing heavily on Latin for formal and political vocabulary. Related Latin-root words include jugular, from jugulum, ‘the throat or neck,’ and jugulate, meaning ‘to kill by strangling’ or ‘to put a yoke on.’
Related word forms
How subjugate is actually used
Formal and often strongly negative in connotation. It is used particularly for the forceful domination of people, countries, or groups, but can also describe overwhelming someone’s resistance or emotions in literary contexts.