Meaning & use
subjection
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Meaning
noununcountable
The state of being under the control or authority of another person or group.
Grammar: Often used with 'to': subjection to a ruler. No plural form.
Patterns
- subjection to someone/something
- in subjection to someone
- hold someone in subjection
The people lived in subjection to a harsh king.
She wrote about the subjection of women in the 19th century.
The rebels fought against subjection to the empire.
Common combinations
- subjection to a ruler
- The tribe was forced into subjection to a foreign ruler.
- complete subjection
- The country was in complete subjection to its neighbor.
- economic subjection
- Economic subjection can be as powerful as political control.
Synonyms and how they differ
- subjugation
- Subjugation emphasizes the act of defeating and controlling someone; subjection focuses more on the state of being controlled.
- domination
- Domination suggests power over others, often by force; subjection is the condition of being under that power.
- oppression
- Oppression implies cruel or unjust control; subjection is a more neutral word for being under authority.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: subjection or subjugation?
subjection vs subjugation
Subjugation often refers to the act of conquering and bringing under control, while subjection is the ongoing state.
Practice
The novel describes the ______ of the villagers to the cruel landlord.
Choose one answer.
'Subjection' is the noun meaning the state of being controlled. 'Subjective' is an adjective, 'subject' is a different noun or verb, and 'subjection to' would be redundant because 'to' already appears later.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “subjection”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.