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

Now, he appears before Arisu more subdued and humbled, with hair slightly grown out.

From Salon

"The global vehicle market continues to see subdued development," it said.

From BBC

A former US Marine standing nearby her in the crowd of some 3,000 people then subdued her, forcing her to miss her second shot.

From BBC

Keeping the fans subdued will be high on Europe's agenda.

From BBC

It all depends on Tuesday night, when we see if Kimmel returns undaunted, or if he has been subdued.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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