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

The clean, modern lines, subdued colors, abundant natural light, and open floor plan all checked out. —Berit Thorkelson, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Apr. 2025

Looking ahead, Wolf reckoned that EMs can move higher if the U.S. dollar continues to weaken and the impact of tariffs on overall trade is subdued. —Amala Balakrishner, CNBC, 31 Mar. 2025

While 2025 may be more subdued in comparison, the year is not lacking for key races with national significance. —Savannah Kuchar, USA Today, 30 Mar. 2025

The husband eventually managed to free himself of his bindings, and when McIsaac returned to the living room, the husband fought back and subdued him long enough to allow the rest of the family to escape and seek help, prosecutors said. —Jason Green, Mercury News, 29 Mar. 2025

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

Rhymes for subdue

• blew
• blue
• boo
• brew
• chew
• chou
• clue
• coo
• coup
• crew
• cue
• dew

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