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

The eurozone continues to hold up better than expected to repeated tariff shocks and subdued international demand for its exports.

From The Wall Street Journal

And so in some ways it felt like a more subdued — like it was the luncheon version of that.

From Los Angeles Times

Crude oil prices are expected to remain subdued as the market continues to face a structural supply surplus, which is likely to cap sustained upside despite intermittent geopolitical-driven price swings.

From The Wall Street Journal

China’s exports have defied trade uncertainty, but risks persist and domestic demand has remained subdued.

From The Wall Street Journal

“While much of the recent improvement reflects fading energy effects, subdued goods prices, and normalized supply chains, this is also the result of cautious consumer demand,” said Joe Nellis, economic advisor at MHA.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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