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View synonyms for

subdue

[suhb-doo, -dyoo]

verb (used with object)

subdued, subduing 
  1. to conquer and bring into subjection.

    Rome subdued Gaul.

    Synonyms: ,
  2. to overpower by superior force; overcome.

  3. to bring under mental or emotional control, as by persuasion or intimidation; render submissive.

    Synonyms: , , ,
  4. to repress (feelings, impulses, etc.).

    Synonyms:
    Antonyms: ,
  5. to bring (land) under cultivation.

    to subdue the wilderness.

  6. to reduce the intensity, force, or vividness of (sound, light, color, etc.); tone down; soften.

    Antonyms:
  7. to allay (inflammation, infection, etc.).



subdue

/ əˈː /

verb

  1. to establish ascendancy over by force

  2. to overcome and bring under control, as by intimidation or persuasion

  3. to hold in check or repress (feelings, emotions, etc)

  4. to render less intense or less conspicuous

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Word Forms

  • subduable adjective
  • subduableness noun
  • subduably adverb
  • subduer noun
  • subduingly adverb
  • presubdue verb (used with object)
  • unsubduable adjective
  • ܲˈܲ noun
  • ܲˈܲ adjective
  • ܲˈܲ adverb
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Word History and Origins

Origin of subdue1

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English so(b)duen, so(b)dewen, from unattested Anglo-French soduer “to overcome,” from Old French soduire “to deceive, seduce,” from Latin ܲū “to withdraw”; meaning in English (and Anglo-French ) from Latin subdere “to place beneath, subdue”; subduct
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Word History and Origins

Origin of subdue1

C14 sobdue, from Old French soduire to mislead, from Latin ܲū to remove; English sense influenced by Latin subdere to subject
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Synonym Study

See defeat.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The parking lot outside the stadium felt relatively subdued, with some fans making carne asada on portable grills and others waving Mexican flags.

From

Short in stature, his head often bowed, he cut a subdued figure.

From

In response, officials in riot gear used flash bang grenades and pepper spray to subdue the crowd.

From

Authorities used pepper spray, rubber bullets and smoke bombs to subdue the crowd.

From

But they are also terrified that the federal government will win the image battle and convince America that Los Angeles has exploded into a rebellion that needs to be subdued.

From

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subduction zonesubdued