SUBDUE Synonyms: 167 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

subdue

verb

səb-ˈdü

Definition of subdue next

as in to overcome

to achieve a victory over subdued her fear of the dark by joining a club for spelunkers

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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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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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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 Nevertheless, the immediate market response to the recent earnings report was relatively subdued. —

Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026 Gregory Bovino was demoted, federal agents were using the modern-day equivalent of water hoses and police dogs — and worse — to subdue the public. —

David Greising, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026 But tonight her mood is subdued rather than swinging. —

Lynn Hirschberg, Rolling Stone, 30 Jan. 2026 In video taken by bystanders, one officer pushes him, then Pretti is taken to the ground and a half-dozen officers try to subdue him. —

Michael Biesecker, Fortune, 29 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for subdue

Recent Examples of Synonyms for subdue

Verb

Tian Feng, former dean of SenseTime’s Intelligence Industry Research Institute, revealed that the free provision of T800 robots will help smaller companies overcome research and development barriers.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 10 Feb. 2026
The first obstacle to overcome is to develop a computer chip that works in the extreme conditions of space, which includes exposure to much higher levels of radiation.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026

Definition of overcome

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“Subdue.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subdue. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

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Last Updated: 14 Feb 2026 - Updated example sentences

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