subdued
Americanadjective
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quiet; inhibited; repressed; controlled.
After the argument he was much more subdued.
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lowered in intensity or strength; reduced in fullness of tone, as a color or voice; muted.
subdued light; wallpaper in subdued greens.
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(of land) not marked by any striking features, as mountains or cliffs.
a subdued landscape.
adjective
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cowed, passive, or shy
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gentle or quiet
a subdued whisper
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(of colours, etc) not harsh or bright
subdued lighting
Other Word Forms
- half-subdued adjective
- self-subdued adjective
- subduedly adverb
- subduedness noun
- unsubdued adjective
Etymology
Origin of subdued
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But, like much of the trading action since the conflict began, any declines have been relatively subdued.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 7, 2026
Bitcoin rose 3% to $68,721, and Ethereum gained 4.2%, yet these moves were more subdued than the stock market rally.
From Barron's • Apr. 1, 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
In a subdued voice, Werfel said, “If you go, Magister Spurge, I will miss you, but I am not sure my future lies in Elfland.”
From "The Assassination of Brangwain Spurge" by M.T. Anderson and Eugene Yelchin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
