Synonyms

subside

American

[suhb-sahyd] / səbˈsaɪd /

verb (used without object)

to sink to a low or lower level.

Synonyms:

settle, descend, decline

Antonyms:

rise
to become quiet, less active, or less violent; abate.

The laughter subsided.

Synonyms:

ebb, wane, lessen, diminish

Antonyms:

increase
to sink or fall to the bottom; settle; precipitate.

to cause coffee grounds to subside.

subside British

/ səbˈsaɪd /

verb

to become less loud, excited, violent, etc; abate
to sink or fall to a lower level
(of the surface of the earth, etc) to cave in; collapse
(of sediment, etc) to sink or descend to the bottom; settle

"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

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Conjugated Forms

Present

Past

Future

Etymology

Origin of subside

First recorded in 1640–50; from Latin subsīdere, from sub- sub- + sīdere “to sit down, settle” ( see also sit ¹)

Explanation

To subside is to die down or become less violent, like rough ocean waves after a storm has passed (or your seasickness, if you happened to be sailing on that ocean). Subside comes from the Latin prefix sub- (meaning "down") and the Latin verb sidere (meaning "to settle"). Subside is often used when a negative situation has improved significantly. For example, violence, disease, and unemployment can all subside. Here's hoping that they do.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing subside

100 Words Every Middle Schooler Should Know

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

The Vocabulary.com Top 1000

Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!

The Giver

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!

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.

Soon enough, the fires subside and we cart my grandparents back across town to their apartment.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 8, 2026

As the initial feelings of anger and devastation at their Champions League quarter-final defeat to Bayern Munich subside, reality will begin to set in for Real Madrid's players.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

Planes have been grounded for hours waiting for threats to subside.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

Investors’ primary concern about the HDD market is that the current surge in demand will subside at some point soon, allowing supply to catch up and price growth to moderate.

From Barron's • Apr. 6, 2026

My uneasiness had just begun to subside when Bear said, “Now, Crispin, its time I learned the truth of you.”

From "Crispin: The Cross of Lead" by Avi

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023