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 Participants took it every 12 hours for 14 days or until their pain subsided. Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC News, 30 Jan. 2025 That subsided to a 3.2% increase in 2024, followed by a more modest 2.5% bump for 2025. Lorie Konish, CNBC, 26 Jan. 2025 By most measures, political violence subsided after January 2021, in part because hundreds of participants in the January 6 attack were convicted and imprisoned. Steven Levitsky, Foreign Affairs, 11 Feb. 2025 Ultimately, the north winds subsided and hundreds of firefighters and volunteers got the fire under control. Jenny Jarvie, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for subside
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subside
Verb
  • The absence of Ayo Dosunmu — who is dealing with shoulder discomfort from a long-term injury — further diminished the Bulls roster.
    Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Suitable for all skin types, the face oil hydrates while improving elasticity and diminishing the appearance of fine lines.
    Celia Shatzman, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The analysis found spending on metformin, an older first-line oral drug for Type 2 diabetes that's available as a generic, decreased 5% over the five years studied, to $623 million.
    Adriel Bettelheim, Axios, 25 Feb. 2025
  • For its most recent financial results for the third quarter of 2024, net sales decreased 3.6 percent to $119.1 million over the quarter.
    James Manso, WWD, 25 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Hackman appeared to have fallen, a deputy observed.
    SUSAN MONTOYA BRYAN, TIME, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Vaccination Rates As reported by the CDC, the measles vaccination rate among children in kindergarten nationally has fallen since 2019, from approximately 95 percent of children receiving a two-dose MMR coverage to 92.7 percent.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The issue has also spilled over into Thailand, after a high-profile case involving 22-year-old Chinese actor Wang Xing, who vanished in Tak Province, near the Myanmar border.
    Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Authorities planned to pull several vehicles from the Columbia River on Thursday, including a car believed to have belonged to a Portland couple who vanished in 1958 while out for a drive with their three daughters, including two whose bodies washed up at a dam the following year.
    CBS News, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The team found that mature giant kelp beds shrank after the 2016 Soberanes fire in Monterey County, the 2017 Thomas fire in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, and the 2018 Woolsey fire in the Santa Monica Mountains.
    Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2025
  • With interest rates remaining high, corporate margins are shrinking, forcing businesses to cut back.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 1 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • If there is a way for Germany to quickly ease its debt constraints that would be a positive.
    Mike O'Sullivan, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
  • The government is also considering temporary egg imports to reduce prices and plans to ease regulations on egg producers and support families raising backyard chickens.
    Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 26 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • But several experts tell CNN that legal immigration is expected to decline throughout Trump’s second term as his administration fosters a hostile environment for immigrants through its policies and messaging, which could lead to fewer available workers across industries and higher inflation.
    Bryan Mena, CNN, 2 Mar. 2025
  • Daily meme coin launches peaked shortly after the $trump coin debut but have declined sharply.
    Billy Bambrough, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Additionally, recent concerns over kidney insufficiency appeared to have receded.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
  • What a difference 25 years makes — especially amid a years-long inflationary spike that’s refusing to entirely recede.
    James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Subside.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subside. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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