subside

American  

[suhb-sahyd] / səbˈsaɪd /

verb (used without object)

subsided, subsiding

1. to sink to a low or lower level.

   Synonyms:

   settle, descend, decline

   Antonyms:

   rise

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

   The laughter subsided.

   Synonyms:

   ebb, wane, lessen, diminish

   Antonyms:

   increase

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

   to cause coffee grounds to subside.

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subside British  

/ səbˈsaɪd /

verb

1. to become less loud, excited, violent, etc; abate

2. to sink or fall to a lower level

3. (of the surface of the earth, etc) to cave in; collapse

4. (of sediment, etc) to sink or descend to the bottom; settle

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Other Word Forms

• nonsubsiding adjective
• subsidence noun
• subsider noun
• unsubsided adjective
• unsubsiding adjective

Etymology

Origin of subside

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

Example Sentences

What is unfolding now is not just another geopolitical flare-up that will soon subside.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 26, 2026

Perhaps that is simply your doctor assessing your risk for GI disorders before prescription, or maybe they take you off the drug for a few months to see if symptoms subside.

From Slate • Mar. 22, 2026

Holyrood has voted on assisted dying several times over the past two decades, and political pressure is unlikely to subside.

From BBC • Mar. 17, 2026

The attacks, even if they subside, could scramble the diplomatic calculus across the Gulf for years to come.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 7, 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

Related Words

• abate
• descend
• diminish
• dwindle
• ease
• ease off
• ebb
• melt
• peter out
• recede
• slacken
• wane