Synonyms

subside

American

[suhb-sahyd] / səbˈsaɪd /

verb (used without object)

to sink to a low or lower level.

Synonyms:

settle, descend, decline

Antonyms:

rise
to become quiet, less active, or less violent; abate.

The laughter subsided.

Synonyms:

ebb, wane, lessen, diminish

Antonyms:

increase
to sink or fall to the bottom; settle; precipitate.

to cause coffee grounds to subside.

subside British

/ səbˈsaɪd /

verb

to become less loud, excited, violent, etc; abate
to sink or fall to a lower level
(of the surface of the earth, etc) to cave in; collapse
(of sediment, etc) to sink or descend to the bottom; settle

"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

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Conjugated Forms

Present

Past

Future

Etymology

Origin of subside

First recorded in 1640–50; from Latin subsīdere, from sub- sub- + sīdere “to sit down, settle” ( see also sit ¹)

Explanation

To subside is to die down or become less violent, like rough ocean waves after a storm has passed (or your seasickness, if you happened to be sailing on that ocean). Subside comes from the Latin prefix sub- (meaning "down") and the Latin verb sidere (meaning "to settle"). Subside is often used when a negative situation has improved significantly. For example, violence, disease, and unemployment can all subside. Here's hoping that they do.

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Vocabulary lists containing subside

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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.

The high temperatures have begun to subside in Spain, however a forest fire broke out north-east of Barcelona forcing 16,000 to stay in their homes on Friday morning.

From BBC • Jun. 26, 2026

“Should the inflation rate subside, mortgage rates could also take a dip,” Yun said in a written statement.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 18, 2026

Soon enough, the fires subside and we cart my grandparents back across town to their apartment.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 8, 2026

But the brashest experiments in cut-rate flying might subside for years, given shortages of pilots, airport slots, and just about everything else they depend upon.

From Barron's • May 8, 2026

His father exhaled slowly, as though waiting for a wave of rage to subside.

From "The Serpent King" by Jeff Zentner

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023