All words

subjugate

Meaning

To defeat and gain control over someone or something by the use of force.

Examples by difficulty

Basic: Simple, everyday vocabulary — the easiest to read.

The invading army wanted to subjugate the small town, making everyone follow their rules and do what they said. The people lost their freedom and could no longer make their own choices. Living under control like that was hard for everyone in the town.

The invading general did not want allies or peace. He came to subjugate the free people of the city, to conquer them completely. His goal was to bring every man, woman, and child under his total control and force them to live as subjects of his new government.

The empire's army marched into the valley, ready to subjugate the small kingdom that had resisted for years. By week's end, the defeated people would bow to a new ruler, their freedom stripped away and their lands controlled by foreign soldiers who now patrolled every street.

When my cat tried to subjugate my dog, she marched around with a shoelace crown and demanded belly rubs on command. The dog, sadly, was terrible at following rules and just licked her face until the queen had no choice but to flee her own kingdom.

Sir Reginald Fluffbottom, my cat, has a new life goal. He will finally subjugate the red laser dot, a foe he has fought for years. He plans to conquer the tiny light and bring it under his complete control, thus becoming the one true king of the sofa.

Normal: Standard, everyday language.

The ruthless dictator sought to subjugate the entire population through fear and intimidation, crushing any resistance with an iron fist. His ultimate goal was to establish complete control over the land and its people, leaving no room for dissent or opposition.

As the mighty army marched forward, their objective was clear: to subjugate the rebellious tribes that had long defied their rule. They intended to crush any resistance, bringing the lands under their control and extending their dominance far and wide.

In the darkness of the dungeon, the prisoner could feel the weight of fear and despair pressing down on him. The cruel guards, with their sneers and whips, seemed to revel in his suffering. But it was not just the physical pain that tormented him, it was the knowledge that he had been subjugated, stripped of his freedom and dignity. The chains that bound him were not just made of iron, but of fear and hopelessness. He knew that he was no longer a man, but a mere subject, a pawn in the hands of those who sought to control and conquer him.

He watched in horror as the monstrous invaders subjugated their village, their cries swallowed by the deafening roar of conquest. Houses crumbled, screams silenced as the invaders established their ruthless dominion, bending the once-proud inhabitants to their unforgiving will. The air grew heavy with the stench of defeat and the realization that their freedom had been extinguished.

The evil sorcerer sought to subjugate all the creatures of the enchanted forest, bending them to his will with dark magic. The once peaceful animals now lived in fear, their freedom stripped away by the sorcerer's tyrannical rule. But one brave young elf refused to be subjugated, standing up to the sorcerer and rallying the other creatures to fight back. Together, they formed a powerful alliance, determined to overthrow the sorcerer and restore peace to the forest. With their unity and courage, they were able to break free from the chains of subjugation and reclaim their rightful place as guardians of the land.

Advanced: Richer vocabulary that stretches an upper-level reader.

When the invading army arrived, their leaders tried to subjugate the local people. They forced strict rules and expected loyalty. The people felt the weight of losing their freedom as outsiders took control and decided how everyone should live, leaving many villagers afraid and angry.

The general's orders were severe and absolute. He did not seek an alliance or a peaceful surrender from the city. His single objective was to march his army through their gates and completely subjugate the population, forcing them under his unyielding governance.

The empire's army marched through the neighboring kingdom, determined to subjugate its people and force them under imperial rule. Within months, the once-independent nation had lost all freedom, its citizens now answering to foreign governors who controlled every aspect of their lives. Resistance movements formed in secret, hoping to one day reclaim their autonomy.

When my dog spots a squirrel in the yard, he believes it is his personal mission to subjugate the tiny creature, bringing it under his canine control and governance as if he were crowned king of the backyard jungle—yet, the squirrel always outsmarts him and keeps his reign purely imaginary.

My toddler’s grand scheme was to subjugate the family cat by placing a single, slightly damp cheerio on its head. He believed this offering would conquer the beast and bring it under his direct governance, but the cat simply ate the snack and walked away, utterly unimpressed.

Challenging: Rare, high-register vocabulary for serious word lovers.

Throughout history, powerful nations have sought to subjugate weaker ones, forcing them to obey new laws and leaders against their will. The conquered populations often faced harsh restrictions and watched as their traditions were systematically suppressed, their autonomy erased by those determined to rule absolutely.

The imperious warlord’s edict was clear: his army would not simply defeat the city, but utterly subjugate its people. Every citizen would be forced to acquiesce to his rule, their former allegiances extinguished under the new, unforgiving governance.

The empire's armies swept through the northern territories, determined to subjugate every independent clan that resisted their authority. Within months, the once-proud chieftains were forced to kneel before foreign governors, their ancestral lands now controlled by distant bureaucrats who cared nothing for local customs or grievances.

When Edgar attempted to subjugate his neighbor’s unruly gnome army with nothing but a stale baguette and unwavering bravado, he learned quickly that conquering ceramic legions requires more than carbohydrates and charisma; by noon, the diminutive troops had commandeered his tulip patch and annexed his mailbox.

The pugnacious toddler, in a fit of pique, launched an audacious gambit to subjugate his exhausted parents. His primary weapon: the incessant, high-pitched, and strategically deployed whine, a truly formidable tool of domestic conquest that left their parental authority in shambles.

Difficulty

Advanced — Less frequent words that stretch an upper-level vocabulary.

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