1
as in to overcome
to achieve a victory over
subdued her fear of the dark by joining a club for spelunkers
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to dominate
to bring under one's control by force of arms
subdued the rebels and sent their leaders to the gallows
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to quell
to put a stop to (something) by the use of force
labored through the night to subdue the river's rising waters by building a wall of sandbags around their property
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of subdue
The unarmed man allegedly fought back during the confrontation, but he was eventually subdued.
—
Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 July 2025
On June 5, 1964, Mundus harpooned and subdued the largest white shark on record — 4,500 pounds.
—Pat Smith, Outdoor Life, 24 July 2025
Another active way to subdue looping woes is by memorizing poems.
—Patricia Steckler, Baltimore Sun, 21 July 2025
Members of the flight crew and passengers were able to subdue Reid — wrapping him up in belts, headphone cords, seatbelts and plastic handcuffs.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for subdue
Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 July 2025
On June 5, 1964, Mundus harpooned and subdued the largest white shark on record — 4,500 pounds.
—Pat Smith, Outdoor Life, 24 July 2025
Another active way to subdue looping woes is by memorizing poems.
—Patricia Steckler, Baltimore Sun, 21 July 2025
Members of the flight crew and passengers were able to subdue Reid — wrapping him up in belts, headphone cords, seatbelts and plastic handcuffs.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for subdue
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subdue
Verb
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The Austin district relied heavily on contractors to overcome its chronic backlog of evaluation requests.—
Keri Heath,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
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Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
29 July 2025
Verb
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What a confusing year for these Fever, from Clark’s three different soft tissue injuries to DeWanna Bonner’s troubled stint to … dominating the Commissioner’s Cup final, against the Minnesota Lynx no less?—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
24 July 2025
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While banks dominate credit provision in Asia far more than in Western markets — accounting for about 79% of lending compared with 54% in Europe and just 33% in the U.S., according to investment firm KKR — that dynamic is shifting.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
24 July 2025
Verb
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In order to try and quell the escalation, former Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra rang Hun Manet’s father, Hun Sen to soothe tensions.—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
28 July 2025
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While Warren Buffett, the chairman of BNSF parent Berkshire Hathaway, shot down the Goldman speculation, that hasn’t quelled chatter that CSX may be in the railroad’s crosshairs as an acquisition target.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
28 July 2025
Verb
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As a fighting force, Hezbollah, the most powerful of Tehran’s proxy forces since 1982, was defeated.—
David Remnick,
New Yorker,
28 July 2025
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But how will the Four defeat an almost godlike being, even with their impressive superpowers?—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
28 July 2025
Verb
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The Fantastic Four: First Steps is conquering around $23 million in previews tonight that began at 2 p.m..—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
25 July 2025
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Sixteen years later, Miranda Priestly has returned to conquer the streets of New York.—
Pamela Vázquez,
Glamour,
24 July 2025
Verb
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Past research, Jansen notes, has found that cannabis can suppress the immune system through its active compounds: CBD, THC and other minor cannabinoids.—
Hannah Millington,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 July 2025
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Sandra Lynn Hemme filed the suit Thursday, which accuses investigators of fabricating evidence, coercing a false confession and suppressing evidence that could have proven her innocence.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
25 July 2025
Verb
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Apps that teach users to master them are more likely to stay installed.—
Alex Kreger,
Forbes.com,
1 Aug. 2025
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And above all, which of us hasn't spent hours upon hours at the local driving range trying to master the craft that is protagonist Happy Gilmore's signature running golf swing?—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The panel had previously considered a version that would have subjected all housing developments to this appeals board.—
Josephine Stratman,
New York Daily News,
21 July 2025
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Two things can be true: Doctors are responsible for keeping mom and baby safe during a C-section and also for not subjecting any patient to avoidable torment.—
Erica Sloan,
SELF,
16 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Subdue.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subdue. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
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