Synonyms of subside

subside

verb

səb-ˈsīd 

as in to diminish

to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually

as the noise of the siren subsided, I was able to fall back to sleep

Synonyms & Similar Words

• diminish
• decrease
• fall
• vanish
• shrink
• ease
• decline
• recede
• ebb
• wane
• dwindle
• abate
• evaporate
• relent
• taper
• moderate
• lessen
• weaken
• die (away or down or out)
• drop (off)
• drain (away)
• pall
• fall away
• taper off
• lower
• let up
• remit
• phase down
• collapse
• ratchet (down)
• de-escalate
• rachet (down)
• compress
• alleviate
• relax
• constrict
• fade (away)
• slacken
• condense
• slow (down)
• tail (off)
• melt (away)
• contract
• peter (out)
• give out
• sink
• fritter (away)
• deflate
• cave (in)
• flag

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• increase
• intensify
• grow
• rise
• build
• escalate
• expand
• swell
• accumulate
• soar
• emerge
• appear
• enlarge
• mount
• pick up
• snowball
• wax
• balloon
• mushroom
• burgeon
• show up
• bourgeon
• lengthen
• distend
• elongate
• blow up

Synonym Chooser

How is the word subside distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of subside are abate, ebb, and wane. While all these words mean "to die down in force or intensity," subside implies the ceasing of turbulence or agitation.

the protests subsided after a few days

When can abate be used instead of subside?

While the synonyms abate and subside are close in meaning, abate stresses the idea of progressive diminishing.

the storm abated

When is ebb a more appropriate choice than subside?

The words ebb and subside are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ebb suggests the receding of something (such as the tide) that commonly comes and goes.

the ebbing of daylight

When is it sensible to use wane instead of subside?

Although the words wane and subside have much in common, wane suggests the fading or weakening of something good or impressive.

waning enthusiasm

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of subside

After your original symptoms have subsided, oral antibiotics are prescribed for 2-3 weeks to ensure the bacterial infection is cleared. —Francisco J. Rivera Rosario, Health, 11 Mar. 2025

In reports from the Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center, forecasters warn that difficult conditions continue this week even though the storm has subsided. —Erika I. Ritchie, Orange County Register, 18 Feb. 2025

Crime has since subsided, though its memory hasn’t. —Aatish Bhatia, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2025

The uproar surrounding the election has not subsided since that time, despite Ganim later winning two court-ordered re-do elections in 2024. —Andrew Brown, Hartford Courant, 7 Mar. 2025