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 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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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of subdue
Authorities said bystanders at the store helped subdue the knife-wielding suspect, who is now in custody.
—
Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 29 July 2025
That’s when Kolakowski subdued the attacker and held him until police arrived.
—Jade Walker, CNN Money, 28 July 2025
The suspect was subdued by bystanders and an officer was at the scene within three minutes of police receiving the first 911 call, according to Shea.
—Clara Hendrickson, Freep.com, 28 July 2025
Bradford James Gille, 42, was quickly subdued by other shoppers and taken into custody when a deputy arrived, the Grand Traverse County sheriff said.
—Maggie Vespa, NBC news, 28 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for subdue
Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 29 July 2025
That’s when Kolakowski subdued the attacker and held him until police arrived.
—Jade Walker, CNN Money, 28 July 2025
The suspect was subdued by bystanders and an officer was at the scene within three minutes of police receiving the first 911 call, according to Shea.
—Clara Hendrickson, Freep.com, 28 July 2025
Bradford James Gille, 42, was quickly subdued by other shoppers and taken into custody when a deputy arrived, the Grand Traverse County sheriff said.
—Maggie Vespa, NBC news, 28 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for subdue
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subdue
Verb
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The Padres are leaving no stone unturned in their quest to overcome the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League west.—
Bernie Pleskoff,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
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The narrative that Apple is behind in AI has been looming over the company all year – and some analysts see it as a more challenging issue to overcome than tariffs.—
Lisa Eadicicco,
CNN Money,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Doubles grew to be dominated by specialists, especially among men.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
17 Aug. 2025
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In an age dominated by smartphones, his old devices serve as both nostalgic keepsakes and reminders of a slower, less connected time.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The system is expected to hook around a large plume of African dust that has been quelling hurricane development for the past several weeks, Fox Weather Hurricane Specialist Bryan Norcross wrote on his blog, Hurricane Intel.—
David Schutz,
Sun Sentinel,
4 Aug. 2025
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America’s military establishment tried to quell the outrage with a piece in Harper’s by Henry Stimson, a retired Secretary of War.—
Jane Mayer,
New Yorker,
3 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Kinloch closely defeated former THAW CEO Saunteel Jenkins in the city's Aug. 5 primary to advance in the race, according to unofficial vote results on the city's website.—
Dana Afana,
Freep.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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Schmitt replaced long-time GOP hand Roy Blunt, who retired in 2022, and Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., defeated Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill in 2018. Hawley and Schmitt are close in age and enjoy a good relationship but diverge stylistically.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Indeed, Trump, who typically blames Ukraine for having been invaded, configures Putin’s Russia as eager for peace, even though Moscow has spent the summer relentlessly attacking civilian targets in Ukraine and pushing to conquer more territory.—
MICHAEL KIMMAGE,
Foreign Affairs,
19 Aug. 2025
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Mao Zedong is said to have suggested that anyone who couldn’t tolerate chiles couldn’t be a revolutionary; all over the world, and for centuries, spiciness has been something to conquer, and chiles have symbolized strength, bravery, national pride, and virility.—
Ellen Cushing,
The Atlantic,
18 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The air force said Russia launched 270 drones and 10 missiles into Ukraine, of which 30 drones and six missiles were intercepted or suppressed.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
19 Aug. 2025
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The warming can leap back without something to suppress it.—
Chris Mooney,
CNN Money,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
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What’s particularly telling is that this versatility has been mastered out of necessity for women athletes and teams.—
Lindsey Darvin,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
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First, find all of the pieces, then master the art of folding each one into a rectangle, leaving one pillowcase off to the side.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Additional sanctions could subject Robinson to probation, suspension, termination or a host of possible penalties related to promotions, tenure or salary, according to IU code.—
Cate Charron,
IndyStar,
15 Aug. 2025
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Having to subject yourself to a room that’s hot as hell could deter you from taking a class altogether—leading you to miss out on all the benefits of exercise that are just as abundant in mild temps.—
Erica Sloan,
SELF,
8 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Subdue.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subdue. Accessed 23 Aug. 2025.
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