subdued

[ suh b-dood, -dyood ]
/ səbˈdud, -ˈdyud /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR subdued ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

quiet; inhibited; repressed; controlled: After the argument he was much more subdued.
lowered in intensity or strength; reduced in fullness of tone, as a color or voice; muted: subdued light; wallpaper in subdued greens.
(of land) not marked by any striking features, as mountains or cliffs: a subdued landscape.

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DO YOU KNOW THIS VOCABULARY FROM "THE HANDMAID'S TALE"?

"The Handmaid's Tale" was required reading for many of us in school. Everyone else has probably watched the very popular and addictive TV show. Do you remember this vocabulary from the book, and do you know what these terms mean?
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decorum
the act of or need for making up one's mind.
dignified propriety of behavior, speech, dress, etc.
a company of singers, especially an organized group employed in church service.
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Origin of subdued

First recorded in 1595–1605; subdue + -ed2

OTHER WORDS FROM subdued

Words nearby subdued

subdual, subduct, subduction, subduction zone, subdue, subdued, subdural, subdural hemorrhage, subdural space, subedit, subeditor

Definition for subdued (2 of 2)

subdue
[ suhb-doo, -dyoo ]
/ səbˈdu, -ˈdyu /

verb (used with object), sub·dued, sub·du·ing.

Origin of subdue

1350–1400; Middle English so(b)duen, so(b)dewen < Anglo-French *soduer to overcome, Old French soduire to deceive, seduce < Latin subdūcere to withdraw (see subduct); meaning in E (and Anglo-French) < Latin subdere to place beneath, subdue

synonym study for subdue

1. See defeat.

OTHER WORDS FROM subdue

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to subdued

unobtrusive, solemn, sober, mellow, low-key, restrained, muted, dim, dejected, shaded, domesticated, grave, chastened, tempered, moderated, repressed, crestfallen, domestic, downcast, neutral

Example sentences from the Web for subdued

British Dictionary definitions for subdued (1 of 2)

subdued
/ (səbˈdjuːd) /

adjective

cowed, passive, or shy
gentle or quieta subdued whisper
(of colours, etc) not harsh or brightsubdued lighting

Derived forms of subdued

subduedly, adverbsubduedness, noun

British Dictionary definitions for subdued (2 of 2)

subdue
/ (səbˈdjuː) /

verb -dues, -duing or -dued (tr)

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

Derived forms of subdue

subduable, adjectivesubduably, adverbsubdual, noun

Word Origin for subdue

C14 sobdue, from Old French soduire to mislead, from Latin subdūcere to remove; English sense influenced by Latin subdere to subject
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012