subdue

verb

səb-ˈdü How to pronounce subdue (audio)
Definition of subduenext
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 conquer
to bring under one's control by force of arms subdued the rebels and sent their leaders to the gallows

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb subdue differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of subdue are conquer, defeat, overcome, overthrow, reduce, and vanquish. While all these words mean "to get the better of by force or strategy," subdue implies a defeating and suppression.

subdued the native tribes after years of fighting

When is conquer a more appropriate choice than subdue?

While the synonyms conquer and subdue are close in meaning, conquer implies gaining mastery of.

Caesar conquered Gaul

How do defeat and vanquish relate to one another, in the sense of subdue?

Defeat does not imply the finality or completeness of vanquish which it otherwise equals.

the Confederates defeated the Union forces at Manassas

When can overcome be used instead of subdue?

The words overcome and subdue are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, overcome suggests getting the better of with difficulty or after hard struggle.

overcame a host of bureaucratic roadblocks

Where would overthrow be a reasonable alternative to subdue?

Although the words overthrow and subdue have much in common, overthrow stresses the bringing down or destruction of existing power.

violently overthrew the old regime

In what contexts can reduce take the place of subdue?

While in some cases nearly identical to subdue, reduce implies a forcing to capitulate or surrender.

the city was reduced after a month-long siege

When would vanquish be a good substitute for subdue?

The words vanquish and subdue can be used in similar contexts, but vanquish implies a complete overpowering.

vanquished the enemy and ended the war

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of subdue In Los Angeles’ Pico-Robertson neighborhood, the mood was subdued Monday as a smattering of Orthodox families made their way to services to observe Shavuot. —Jenny Jarvie, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2025 Another deputy tried to subdue Gullatt with a Taser stun gun, Codd added. —Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 2 June 2025 Investment spending picked up around 2016 but hit a wall with Covid, and has been subdued since. —William Dunkelberg, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025 One of the suspects had to be subdued with a stun gun. —Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 30 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for subdue
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subdue
  1. overcome
  2. conquer
  3. quell
  4. defeat
  5. dominate
  6. suppress
  7. master
  8. subject
Verb
  • But your brain might still seek patterns to overcome.
    — Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
  • Yet soon one is overcome by Charles Laughton’s creepy, convincing portrayal of Captain Bligh’s sadomasochism: most of the first fifteen minutes is taken up with floggings and other shipboard disciplining of half-naked men, shown in detail while Laughton looks on with long-lipped lasciviousness.
    — Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 9 June 2025
Definition of overcome
Verb
  • Ephesus is primarily known as a Ionian Greek city, but it was later conquered and rebuilt by the Romans.
    — Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025
  • Updated June 4, 2025: In 2018, Eva Steinwald was still conquering her fear of heights.
    — Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 4 June 2025
Definition of conquer
Verb
  • Sending National Guard troops into a municipality to quell disturbances is not a solution in a free society.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2025
  • Federal troops and California National Guard units joined forces with local law enforcement officers to quell the turmoil, but not without harrowing results.
    — Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2025
Definition of quell
Verb
  • That’s supposed to keep immigrant families safe and defeat Trump?
    — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025
  • His reign ended as another American emerged, Francis Ouimet, a mild-mannered amateur who defeated Vardon and Ted Ray in a playoff.
    — Tim Corlett, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025
Definition of defeat
Verb
  • Silver did admit, however, that the ratings discussion that often dominates the conversation is an irritant for him.
    — Sam Amick, New York Times, 6 June 2025
  • This is a game that will be dominating time on rec room TV or backseat car rides for years to come.
    — Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 6 June 2025
Definition of dominate
Verb
  • In his motion to dismiss Bragg’s case, Mangione’s lawyers argued his statements to officers after his arrest should be suppressed because he wasn’t informed of his rights, which the DA’s office contests.
    — Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 5 June 2025
  • Young men might be more likely to suppress emotional expression, engage in risk-taking behavior, or use substances to cope with grief.
    — Charell G. Coleman, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
Definition of suppress
Verb
  • The tournament is serving as a trial run for FIFA to master the quality of its playing surfaces ahead of the men’s World Cup next year.
    — Melanie Anzidei, New York Times, 14 June 2025
  • Master the LinkedIn inbox, master your growth Message your profile viewers first Every day, people check out your profile.
    — Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
Definition of master
Verb
  • Foreign governments often engage in smear campaigns against anyone that does not toe the line, subjecting them to public excoriation and private surveillance.
    — Schuyler Moore, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
  • Mengele sought out twins who arrived at Auschwitz in order to subject them to medical experiments.
    — Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 6 June 2025
Definition of subject

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subdue
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Cite this Entry

“Subdue.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subdue. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of subdue for Spanish Speakers

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