subdue

verb

sub·​due səb-ˈdü 

-ˈdyü

subdued; subduing

transitive verb

1

: to conquer and bring into subjection : vanquish

2

: to bring under control especially by an exertion of the will : curb

subdued my foolish fears

3

: to bring (land) under cultivation

4

: to reduce the intensity or degree of : tone down

subduer noun

Synonyms

• beat
• best
• conquer
• defeat
• dispatch
• do down [British]
• get
• get around
• lick
• master
• overbear
• overcome
• overmatch
• prevail (over)
• skunk
• stop
• surmount
• take
• trim
• triumph (over)
• upend
• win (against)
• worst

Choose the Right Synonym for subdue

conquer, vanquish, defeat, subdue, reduce, overcome, overthrow mean to get the better of by force or strategy.

conquer implies gaining mastery of.

Caesar conquered Gaul

vanquish implies a complete overpowering.

vanquished the enemy and ended the war

defeat does not imply the finality or completeness of vanquish which it otherwise equals.

the Confederates defeated the Union forces at Manassas

subdue implies a defeating and suppression.

subdued the native tribes after years of fighting

reduce implies a forcing to capitulate or surrender.

the city was reduced after a month-long siege

overcome suggests getting the better of with difficulty or after hard struggle.

overcame a host of bureaucratic roadblocks

overthrow stresses the bringing down or destruction of existing power.

violently overthrew the old regime

Examples of subdue in a Sentence

The troops were finally able to subdue the rebel forces after many days of fighting.

He was injured while trying to subdue a violent drunk.

She struggled to subdue her fears.

Recent Examples on the Web

Several said they were alarmed by him and some were thankful when Penny subdued him. —Jennifer Peltz, Los Angeles Times, 2 Dec. 2024

The price of iron ore, which is Rio’s single largest product, accounting for two-thirds of Rio Tinto’s revenue, has remained subdued in 2024, though showing some improvement in the recent months. —Trefis Team, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024

Right Now The ground level’s original 1970s dark-neutral palette, subdued look and low ceilings were swapped for zappy orange accents and a feeling of space — all without sacrificing the building’s Modernist style. —Linda Laban, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Nov. 2024

With traditional sources of gold demand—mainly Western institutional investors—now slowly coming back to the market, and supply from a new-look mining sector remaining subdued even in the face of a steady stream of demand, gold could have a bright future ahead of it. —Greg McKenna, Fortune, 21 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English sodewen, subduen, from Anglo-French soduire, subdure to lead astray, overcome, arrest (influenced in form and meaning by Latin subdere to subject), from Latin subducere to withdraw, remove stealthily

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

subdue

verb

sub·​due səb-ˈd(y)ü 

subdued; subduing

1

: to overcome in battle

subdued the enemy

2

: to bring under control especially by willpower

subdued his fears

3

: to reduce the brightness or strength of : soften

tried to subdue the light

subduer noun