subdued

[ suh b-dood, -dyood ]

/ səbˈdud, -ˈdyud /

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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.

Nearby words

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

Origin of subdued

First recorded in 1595–1605; subdue + -ed²

Related forms

sub·dued·ly, adverbsub·dued·ness, nounhalf-sub·dued, adjectiveself-sub·dued, adjective

un·sub·dued, adjective

Definition for subdued (2 of 2)

subdue

[ suhb-doo, -dyoo ]

/ səbˈdu, -ˈdyu /

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

to conquer and bring into subjection: Rome subdued Gaul.

to overpower by superior force; overcome.

to bring under mental or emotional control, as by persuasion or intimidation; render submissive.

to repress (feelings, impulses, etc.).

to bring (land) under cultivation: to subdue the wilderness.

to reduce the intensity, force, or vividness of (sound, light, color, etc.); tone down; soften.

to allay (inflammation, infection, etc.).

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

SYNONYMS FOR subdue

1 subjugate, vanquish.

3 tame, break, discipline.

3, 4 suppress.

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ANTONYMS FOR subdue

4 awaken, arouse.

6 intensify.

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Related forms

sub·du·a·ble, adjectivesub·du·a·ble·ness, nounsub·du·a·bly, adverbsub·du·er, noun

sub·du·ing·ly, adverbpre·sub·due, verb (used with object), pre·sub·dued, pre·sub·du·ing.un·sub·du·a·ble, adjective

Synonym study

1. See defeat.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for subdued

Hip-hop and faith have a long and sometimes conflicted history; but it was often presented in nuanced or subdued ways.
Down With the King: Christianity Isn’t Hiding in Rap’s Closet|Stereo Williams|December 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The very brave vice principal, Sam King, who then jumped in, might have been killed before he subdued the 16-year-old suspect.
Thank God the Murrysville School Attack Wasn’t Guns|Michael Daly|April 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
By that time, more security arrived and subdued Frazier, who was arrested and hospitalized.
Another Fatal Shooting in Las Vegas|John L. Smith|October 22, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Even his standard line of attack against Hillary Clinton was subdued.
Rand Paul: I’m Not My Dad|David Catanese|June 29, 2013|DAILY BEAST

It's unlikely that only one man could have subdued three victims, so it makes sense to think of killers, not a single killer.
Did the Boston Bombers Slit Their Friends' Throats?|David Frum|April 30, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The coppersmith now and then gives forth his winter note—a subdued wow; this is heard chiefly at the sunset hour.
A Bird Calendar for Northern India|Douglas Dewar
Rameses first subdued the Arabians and Libyans, and annexed them to the Egyptian monarchy.
Beacon Lights of History, Volume III|John Lord
The sound of subdued voices reached him occasionally, and once or twice he heard Yoshio speak to some passer by.
The Shadow of the East|E. M. Hull
"The Mons looks like a warrior taking his rest—his last rest," says Birley, gravely, giving me a subdued nudge.
Punch, or the London Charavari, Volume 93, October 8, 1887|Various
Merrymakers were quiet when in the streets and subdued even in the restaurants.
Chicago's Awful Theater Horror|Various

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

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

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