subdue
- to conquer and bring into subjection: Rome subdued Gaul.
- to overpower by superior force; overcome.
- to bring under mental or emotional control, as by persuasion or intimidation; render submissive.
- to repress (feelings, impulses, etc.).
- to bring (land) under cultivation: to subdue the wilderness.
- to reduce the intensity, force, or vividness of (sound, light, color, etc.); tone down; soften.
- to allay (inflammation, infection, etc.).
Origin of subdue
Synonyms for subdue
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Antonyms for subdue
Related Words for subdue
crush, suppress, humble, tame, overpower, quell, restrain, conquer, extinguish, repress, temper, overcome, control, discipline, quench, drop, reduce, quiet, soften, breakExamples from the Web for subdue
Contemporary Examples of subdue
It took a blow to the head from Clark and the assistance of three deputies to subdue her.
The younger brother would try everything in his power from a distance to subdue the roaring flames of passion.
At least one Metropolitan Police officer was injured during the struggle to subdue the man.
A brief struggle ensues as several officers attempt to subdue a squirming Grant, his hands behind his back.
Yet it is these very anarchic groups that the Second Amendment was incorporated to subdue.
Historical Examples of subdue
Oh, strong, strong are the ties of flesh, and hard it is to subdue the spirit!
The White CompanyArthur Conan Doyle
She looked at him with a nervous repugnance to his appearance, which she tried to subdue.
The Bacillus of BeautyHarriet Stark
In vain the Woman Perfect struggled to subdue her mirth to penitence.
The Bacillus of BeautyHarriet Stark
Every attempt to subdue or extirpate them, has proved abortive.
Female Scripture Biographies, Vol. IFrancis Augustus Cox
He was as utterly unable to prevent or subdue this fear, as he was to prevent his breathing.
The ChanningsMrs. Henry Wood
subdue
- to establish ascendancy over by force
- to overcome and bring under control, as by intimidation or persuasion
- to hold in check or repress (feelings, emotions, etc)
- to render less intense or less conspicuous
Word Origin for subdue
Word Origin and History for subdue
late 14c., "to conquer," from Old French souduire "deceive, seduce," from Latin subducere "draw, lead away, withdraw" (see subduce). The sense seems to have been taken in Anglo-French from Latin subdere. Subduct in the sense of "subtract" is from 1570s. Related: Subdued; subduing.