Subjugate

To subjugate means to bring someone or something under domination or control, especially by conquest or force. It implies a complete and often brutal suppression of will and autonomy. The act involves overpowering, conquering, and making someone or a group subservient. It can refer to physical control over a territory or people or metaphorical control over ideas, emotions, or aspects of life. Often, subjugation entails stripping away freedom, rights, and cultural identity, imposing the authority and values of the subjugator. It goes beyond mere control, aiming to break the spirit and ensure obedience, creating a situation where the subdued entity has little or no power to resist.

Subjugate meaning with examples

• The Roman Empire, through military campaigns, systematically aimed to subjugate neighboring territories. They constructed roads, established legal systems, and imposed taxes to solidify their control and integrate conquered populations, thereby consolidating their power and influence. This process often involved brutality and the suppression of local cultures in favor of Roman ideals and governance, illustrating the harsh realities of conquest and control.
• The colonists sought to subjugate the indigenous population, seizing their lands and exploiting their labor. Through various methods, including warfare and systemic oppression, the colonists sought to dismantle the existing social structures and impose their own language, religion, and customs, resulting in significant displacement and cultural damage, demonstrating the brutal history of colonization.
• Some authoritarian regimes use propaganda to subjugate the minds of their citizens. They control the flow of information and spread disinformation, intending to instill fear and obedience while quelling dissent. This manipulation of the populace erodes critical thinking, fostering blind faith and limiting any possible resistance to the regime, highlighting the subtle tools used to control society.
• The explorer attempted to subjugate the uncharted wilderness, seeking to tame the untamed nature for their own purposes. Through exploration, mapping, and the exploitation of resources, they aimed to dominate the land and utilize it to their advantage. This concept, although driven by ambition, carries the risk of environmental damage, underscoring the tension between human aspiration and nature.
• During a heated relationship, one partner may attempt to subjugate the other through emotional manipulation and control. They might use guilt, intimidation, or other tactics to undermine the other person's independence and decision-making. This form of relational abuse demonstrates how power dynamics, can be used to undermine the individual's well being.