as in muted
not excessively showy
the wedding was a subdued affair, with only close family and friends attending
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in defeated
to achieve a victory over
subdued her fear of the dark by joining a club for spelunkers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dominated
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 suppressed
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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of subdued
Jacqueline Dole,
Travel + Leisure,
31 May 2026
But the mood in the room at Citi’s Tribeca headquarters was more subdued than expected.
—
Claire Zillman,
Fortune,
27 May 2026
Rae-Aila Crumble,
Pitchfork,
25 June 2026
Over a decade, more than 1,000 people have died across the country after police subdued them through means not intended to be lethal, such as physical holds, Tasers and body blows, an investigation led by The Associated Press found.
—
ABC News,
25 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for subdued
Adjective
Hotel Portsmouth’s rooms are bright and quirky, while the rooms at The Bow have a more serene and subdued ambience.
—
Jacqueline Dole,
Travel + Leisure,
31 May 2026
But the mood in the room at Citi’s Tribeca headquarters was more subdued than expected.
—
Claire Zillman,
Fortune,
27 May 2026
Verb
After Korten’s shimmering, intimate Emahoy-esque piano intro, the quartet sounds tame and subdued, mostly playing off sparse block chords and swung hi-hats.
—
Rae-Aila Crumble,
Pitchfork,
25 June 2026
Over a decade, more than 1,000 people have died across the country after police subdued them through means not intended to be lethal, such as physical holds, Tasers and body blows, an investigation led by The Associated Press found.
—
ABC News,
25 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for subdued
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subdued
Adjective
-
Even though Clinton’s remarks Saturday received muted response on cable news due to the heatwave and Trump’s excesses, online the former President deftly tapped into the shifts among Democrats for a more combative approach to curb MAGA.
-
Her bronzed makeup look consisted of taupe eyeshadow, black eyeliner, rosy cheeks, and a muted matte lip.
Verb
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Norway defeated Brazil, while England emerged victorious against Mexico, taking them both through to the quarter-finals.
-
Without a pole, hook, or tree to climb, squirrels are left defeated and bereft.
Verb
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In the first decisive victory of this tournament’s knockout stage, France dominated Sweden Tuesday with a 3-0 win that guaranteed the French another match this week.
-
Highlight reels are dominated by exceptional athletes doing exceptional things.
Verb
-
Oracle Park’s spacious dimensions and San Francisco’s chilly climate have suppressed home runs for more than two decades, but this was a true no-doubt blast that cleared the left-center field fence by plenty of feet.
-
In effect, the program was suppressed and hidden rather than truly removed.
Adjective
-
Since joining the winery, Melton has brought a restrained, classical sensibility to wines known for an ability to age.
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The world press was less restrained; the Post, the Daily Mail, the Hindustan Times, and many others ran screaming headlines, accompanied by photographs of the climbers purloined from social media.
Verb
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Faculty across the country increasingly report spending more time teaching skills that many students once mastered before arriving on campus.
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Emma Chamberlain has mastered the art of the messy textured pixie.
Verb
-
The story here is how the Minions conquered Hollywood and became movie stars, which has charmed critics especially, with so many homages to classic Hollywood film.
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But Alexca, a bubbly toddler who giggles and runs about, has conquered her grandmother’s heart.
Verb
-
But that hasn’t entirely quelled fears that the boom is just setting investors up for a bust when spending cools, a dynamic that has played out in past semiconductor cycles, which have been particularly painful for memory-chip makers.
-
Authorities lifted the order hours later as crews quelled the flames.
Cite this Entry
“Subdued.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subdued. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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