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

Barshay, so far, has adopted a more subdued tone.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

Human rights lawyer Bhavani Fonseka said protests have been subdued because people are preoccupied with the day-to-day challenge of securing supplies.

From Barron's • Apr. 4, 2026

But those moves were more subdued than the stock market rally, and particularly the rebound in tech names.

From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026

But as it tries to make improvements in China through the next fiscal year — its fiscal 2027 — management said sales growth there would likely be more subdued as a result.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 31, 2026

Back in the house at last, there began a dreamlike time of grave arrivals, tears and subdued voices and urgent footsteps across the hallway, and her own vile excitement that kept her drowsiness at bay.

From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan

Related Words

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