French Conversation · Level 123
59 words
French word
asservir
Pronunciation
IPA/asɛʁviʁ/
Meaning
- verbsubjugate
Example
La guerre a asservi une grande partie du pays.
The war subjugated a large part of the country.
More examples
Les réseaux sociaux peuvent asservir les utilisateurs.
Social media can enslave users.
Core concept
A ruler's grip closes around someone until that person's freedom and self-direction are gone.
Similar words
soumettre: To make someone obey through orders or force.
dominer: To overpower and rule someone through power or status.
contrôler: To manage and restrain behavior or a situation.
assujettir: To place someone under control and make them subordinate.
Definition in French
Mettre quelqu'un en situation de subordination, en lui retirant son autonomie par la force ou un rapport de pouvoir.
Word origin
The verb developed from Old French asservir, which continues Latin asservire and is related to servire, to serve.
Usage tips
- The reflexive form s'asservir à also applies to things such as a habit or a system, meaning to become subject to it.
Other meanings
- enslaveverb
Opposites
- libérerfreeverb