subside
Americanverb (used without object)
verb
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to become less loud, excited, violent, etc; abate
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to sink or fall to a lower level
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(of the surface of the earth, etc) to cave in; collapse
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(of sediment, etc) to sink or descend to the bottom; settle
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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subsidesimple
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subsidessimple
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have subsidedperfect
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has subsidedperfect
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am subsidingprogressive
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are subsidingprogressive
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is subsidingprogressive
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have been subsidingperfect progressive
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has been subsidingperfect progressive
Past
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subsidedsimple
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had subsidedperfect
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was subsidingprogressive
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were subsidingprogressive
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had been subsidingperfect progressive
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.
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.
See Examples For:
Inflation, meanwhile, is expected to be on the way down as long as the Iran conflict continues to subside and doesn’t have large second-round effects, the head of analysis said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 2, 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
The software sector is seeing a broad turnaround as AI fears subside, with strong performances in stocks like Datadog and Fortinet.
From Barron's ● May 19, 2026
I stayed where I was, waiting for the irritation and anxiety to subside.
From "Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer
Countries are likely to respond by prioritizing supply diversification, investing in exploration and domestic resource development, and replenishing strategic reserves once the conflict subsides, SLB said.
From MarketWatch ● Apr. 24, 2026
Le Peuch expects many countries to prioritize supply diversification, invest in exploration and domestic resource development, and replenish reserves once the conflict subsides.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 24, 2026
Warsh has expressed support for cutting rates relatively quickly, arguing that policy remains overly restrictive as inflation gradually subsides.
From Barron's ● Mar. 10, 2026
Once the feeling of frustration which inevitably follows any defeat subsides, Draper will reflect positively on the strides he has made in Dubai - assuming he recovers without any major issues.
From BBC ● Feb. 25, 2026
Like how, after a really bad burn, once the pain subsides, you lose all sensation in the spot.
From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman
The authorities denied the allegations, saying tough measures were needed to end the insurgency, which had largely subsided by the mid-1990s.
From BBC ● Jul. 6, 2026
Bird flu cases have largely subsided in recent months and are sparse in the summer months.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 30, 2026
The threat subsided on May 26 after officials confirmed that the tank had cracked and was no longer pressurized.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 6, 2026
There was no immediate word on casualties as of Thursday morning, and by 9:30 am the fighting had subsided as the government and opposition entered negotiations, according to sources.
From Barron's ● Jun. 4, 2026
They would enjoy the wealth of its waters till the rains subsided.
From "Flying Through Water" by Mamle Wolo
When asked if some of the business impact of those cultural moments is subsiding, Fiddelke said Target’s current sales lift comes from all types of shoppers and regions.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 20, 2026
A new study published in Nature finds that many of the world's largest river deltas are subsiding more quickly than global sea levels are rising, putting hundreds of millions of people at potential risk.
From Science Daily ● Apr. 20, 2026
Verdi sees inflation subsiding toward 2% as an initial jolt to food prices wears off.
From Barron's ● Jan. 8, 2026
Betts was penciled in to start at shortstop, arriving at the ballpark with his symptoms subsiding.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 23, 2025
The first runoff was just subsiding in the river.
From "Bless Me, Ultima" by Rudolfo Anaya
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.
