Synonym Chooser

How is the word subside distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of subside are abate, ebb, and wane. While all these words mean "to die down in force or intensity," subside implies the ceasing of turbulence or agitation.

the protests subsided after a few days

When can abate be used instead of subside?

While the synonyms abate and subside are close in meaning, abate stresses the idea of progressive diminishing.

the storm abated

When is ebb a more appropriate choice than subside?

The words ebb and subside are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ebb suggests the receding of something (such as the tide) that commonly comes and goes.

the ebbing of daylight

When is it sensible to use wane instead of subside?

Although the words wane and subside have much in common, wane suggests the fading or weakening of something good or impressive.

waning enthusiasm

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 subside Previous days of wind subsided as the temperature soared to 70 degrees Sunday for Hands Across Chicagoland, a 30-mile stretch of demonstrators from Aurora to Chicago protesting the Trump administration’s policies. Christine Ledbetter, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2025 Tariff fears have subsided on Wall Street, but rocky negotiations on Capitol Hill over tax and federal budget changes could give traders a new headache in coming weeks. Jesse Pound, CNBC, 20 May 2025 China-Philippines frictions might subside if Washington adopted more caution in building up military forces in the archipelago—a buildup linked to Taiwan conflict scenarios. J. Tedford Tyler, Time, 17 May 2025 So much oil got sucked out of the port and its neighborhoods that the ground started to subside, in some places yards deep. Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for subside
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subside
Verb
  • Augmenting Human Relationships with AI AI's role in enhancing efficiency does not diminish the need for human expertise in B2B interactions.
    John Bruno, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
  • The 25-year-old’s sample might be small, but in an era of diminishing workloads, Zack Wheeler and Max Fried are the only current starters averaging 6 1/3 innings.
    Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 2 June 2025
Verb
  • The three main causes of hydroplaning are: Vehicle speed - When a vehicle's speed increases, the tire-traction grip and ability to control the vehicle decreases.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 14 June 2025
  • Several people are still unaccounted for, but the number of missing people has slowly decreased, a San Antonio Fire Department spokesperson confirmed to PEOPLE.
    Charna Flam, People.com, 14 June 2025
Verb
  • In May 2022 — three years ago — Caltrans estimated that the project would cost $433 million, meaning that in addition to falling behind schedule, the cost has gone up by about $96 million in that time.
    Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2025
  • Heavy rain is falling across the Kansas City area, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a flash flood warning for parts of the metro.
    Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 3 June 2025
Verb
  • Nova Scotia's Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) announced on Wednesday that investigators have conducted polygraph interviews as part of the effort to determine what happened to Lilly and Jack Sullivan, siblings who vanished from their home in Lansdowne Station on May 2.
    Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 June 2025
  • Fans rapidly purchased the several thousand available copies, after which the collection vanished.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025
Verb
  • First, Musk taking on the president so publicly could further shrink the car maker’s customer base by angering Trump backers.
    Matt Egan, CNN Money, 6 June 2025
  • The states sued after the administration terminated over 1,000 grants and placed 85% of AmeriCorps' staff on administrative leave with the intent to terminate them effective June 24 as part of a push by Trump and the Department of Government Efficiency to shrink the federal government.
    Nate Raymond, USA Today, 6 June 2025
Verb
  • But China is frustrating the U.S. by moving too slowly on easing its rare earth export controls, The Wall Street Journal reported, a key part of the Geneva agreement.
    Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 June 2025
  • More international alignment might have eased the U.S. infant formula crisis in 2022, when contamination shut down an Abbott factory, leading to monthslong shortages for American parents, Young said.
    Jonel Aleccia, Chicago Tribune, 3 June 2025
Verb
  • The April 11 ruling came during a hearing in Maryland, where a Justice Department attorney declined to provide basic details about Abrego Garcia’s whereabouts.
    Chantelle Lee, Time, 7 June 2025
  • Full-time workers declined by 623,000, while part-timers rose by 33,000.
    Jeff Cox, CNBC, 6 June 2025
Verb
  • But as more schools crack down, the market should mature, the software improve and the temptation to cheat recede.
    Editorial, Boston Herald, 2 June 2025
  • While the brand quickly became synonymous with the 1990s UK music scene—having Liam Gallagher sport them on-stage certainly didn’t hurt—the aughts saw the business’s fortunes recede and its manufacturing go overseas.
    Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 2 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Subside.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subside. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.

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