vassal

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“Being a happy vassal is one thing. Being a miserable slave is something else,” Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever said.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 26, 2026

According to the polling expert, Mr Lee, "a growing portion of the public now believes China wants to turn South Korea into some kind of vassal state".

From BBC • Feb. 19, 2025

Fealty in medieval Europe was an oath of fidelity in which the vassal pledged not to harm his lord or damage to his property.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 12, 2023

Shaipov said Muscovy inherited its political culture not from Europe, but from the Mongol Empire of which it had long been a vassal.

From Salon • Jul. 29, 2023

Only in 1428 did Itzacoatl, a newly selected tlatoani, ally with two other small vassal states to overthrow their mutual overlords.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann