subdued

American  

[suhb-dood, -dyood] / səbˈdud, -ˈdyud /

adjective

1. quiet; inhibited; repressed; controlled.

   After the argument he was much more subdued.

2. lowered in intensity or strength; reduced in fullness of tone, as a color or voice; muted.

   subdued light; wallpaper in subdued greens.

3. (of land) not marked by any striking features, as mountains or cliffs.

   a subdued landscape.

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subdued British  

/ səbˈdjuːd /

adjective

1. cowed, passive, or shy

2. gentle or quiet

   a subdued whisper

3. (of colours, etc) not harsh or bright

   subdued lighting

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Other Word Forms

• half-subdued adjective
• self-subdued adjective
• subduedly adverb
• subduedness noun
• unsubdued adjective

Etymology

Origin of subdued

First recorded in 1595–1605; subdue + -ed ²

Example Sentences

While energy prices remain subdued—oil is currently $58 a barrel—Venezuela represents a big new temptation for U.S. oil majors.

From Barron's

They expect competition to intensify and demand growth to remain subdued throughout 2026.

From The Wall Street Journal

The move does not alter the market’s core view that ample supply and subdued demand will cap upside for oil prices into 2026, Sachdeva says.

From The Wall Street Journal

“Combined with subdued inflation and Fed rate cuts, purchasing power strengthens, setting up retail demand improvement ahead,” Jefferies analysts said in a note last month.

From MarketWatch

“Unless fundamentals point to a material demand revival in 2026, price action is likely to stay subdued,” the analyst says.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• hushed
• low-key
• mellow
• muted
• restrained
• sober
• solemn
• unobtrusive