- to bring into subjection
- to make subservient or submissive
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
sub•ju•gate /ˈsʌbdʒəˌgeɪt/USA pronunciation
v. [~ + object], -gat•ed, -gat•ing.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- to bring under complete control; conquer:The invaders subjugated the farmers.
- to make less important:subjugating his desires to play golf to the needs of his family.
sub•ju•gate
(sub′jə gāt′),USA pronunciation v.t., -gat•ed, -gat•ing.
sub•ju•ga•ble
(sub′jə gə bəl),USA pronunciation adj.
sub′ju•ga′tion, n.
sub′ju•ga′tor, n.
- to bring under complete control or subjection; conquer;
master. - to make submissive or subservient;
enslave.
- Late Latin subjugātus, past participle of subjugāre to subjugate, equivalent. to sub- sub- + jug(um) yoke1 + -ātus -ate1
- late Middle English 1400–50
sub′ju•ga′tor, n.
- 1. 2. overcome, vanquish, reduce, overpower.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
subjugate /ˈsʌbdʒʊˌɡeɪt/ vb (transitive)
'subjugate' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):