verb

subjugate

SUB-juh-gayt/ˈsʌbdʒuɡeɪt/

To bring under domination or control, especially by force.

The invading army uses brutal force to subjugate the population.

Subjugate: restrained historical scene of armored conqueror taking a city's key from a defeated civic leader at a gate, two guards behind conqueror, subdued townspeople.

Etymology

subLatinunder

+jugLatinyoke

+ateLatinparticipial ending

To bring people “under the yoke” is to make them submit to control. This image supplies the word's meaning of conquering or forcing people into obedience.

In context

Prof. Sam Vaknin16:24

the psychopath actually goes out into the world and tries to impress upon people and imprint them and enslave them and subjugate them and humiliate them and torture them

Are YOU Dead Inside or Self-sufficient?

More examples

The empire subjugated neighboring kingdoms and demanded tribute.
The regime subjugates its citizens through violence and intimidation.
The rebels refuse to be subjugated by foreign rulers.

Forms

subjugate · subjugates · subjugated · subjugating

subjugation noun — The act of forcing people under control.

Similar words

subdue: Emphasizes overcoming resistance, without necessarily establishing lasting rule.
conquer: Emphasizes military victory or territorial capture rather than continued domination.
dominate: Means exercising control, not necessarily gaining it by force.