subdue

[suhb-doo, -dyoo]

verb (used with object)

subdued, subduing 

1. to conquer and bring into subjection.

   Rome subdued Gaul.

   Synonyms: vanquish, subjugate

2. to overpower by superior force; overcome.

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

   Synonyms: suppress, discipline, break, tame

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

   Synonyms: suppress
   Antonyms: arouse, awaken

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: intensify

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

subdue

/ səbˈdjuː /

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

Other Word Forms

• subduable adjective
• subduableness noun
• subduably adverb
• subduer noun
• subduingly adverb
• presubdue verb (used with object)
• unsubduable adjective
• subdual noun

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 subdūcere “to withdraw”; meaning in English (and Anglo-French ) from Latin subdere “to place beneath, subdue”; subduct

Word History and Origins

Origin of subdue¹

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

Synonym Study

See defeat.

Example Sentences

If they can subdue a dangerous, if tired, Argentina side next weekend, that would be 11 successive wins for England and only one defeat in 2025.

Read more on BBC

The subdued global growth environment supports a muted outlook for broad commodity returns, but precious metals should outperform.

Read more on Barron's

SIA is also expected to face continued yield pressure and cargo volatility, with profitability likely to remain subdued in the near term.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

He bemoaned the "silent" atmosphere during England's friendly win over Wales last month and once again the crowd were subdued in the hosts' first game at Wembley since his criticism.

Read more on Barron's

Infineon and its rivals have had to contend with subdued demand in those markets for years, though signs of a recovery have emerged recently.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• conquer 
• crush 
• extinguish 
• humble 
• overcome 
• overpower 
• quell 
• repress 
• restrain 
• suppress 
• tame 
• temper