subdue

verb

səb-ˈdü How to pronounce subdue (audio)
Definition of subduenext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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 After all, Godolkin knows how to subdue powerful supes better than anyone. —Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2025 A bit subdued and a bit of a passenger. —Tim Spiers, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025 Another finding is that risk appetite is understandably subdued. —Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025 There were no injuries, and when officers arrived customers had subdued the suspect, police said in a news release. —Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for subdue
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subdue
  1. overcome
  2. dominate
  3. quell
  4. defeat
  5. conquer
  6. suppress
  7. master
  8. subject
Verb
  • Kate Schneider and Caroline Handwerk each scored in the third quarter to separate from a halftime draw, finally overcoming a standout job from Bulldogs goalie Shealyn Murphy (15 saves).
    — Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 17 Oct. 2025
  • The Cowboys’ defense has been so bad, not even elite quarterback play has been able to overcome it consistently.
    — Mike Sando, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
Definition of overcome
Verb
  • Paris dominated global fashion traffic, accounting for 49 percent of views compared with 25 percent for Milan, 17 percent for New York and 9 percent for London, Tagwalk founder and chief executive officer Alexandra Van Houtte said during a presentation on Thursday.
    — Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Continue reading … TOXIC TEXTS – Jay Jones’ ‘two bullets’ scandal over violent texts expected to dominate Virginia AG debate.
    — , FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2025
Definition of dominate
Verb
  • The large police presence, with a handful of riot vans positioned between the protestors and the stadium entrance, quelled any threat of violence until a small flashpoint close to half-time — tear gas was briefly used to disperse activists who attempted to break through police barricades.
    — Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
  • Those deployments provoked more protests, which, in turn, fuelled the Administration’s claims that troops are needed to quell them.
    — Jeannie Suk Gersen, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2025
Definition of quell
Verb
  • The Las Vegas Aces defeat the Phoenix Mercury 97-86 to win the championship.
    — Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Oct. 2025
  • Summit was 4-1 overall and 3-0 in district play and had won four straight, defeating Mansfield, Burleson, Grapevine and The Colony heading into the game.
    — Jordan Neal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Oct. 2025
Definition of defeat
Verb
  • For 30 years, the solution to the conflict between Israel and Palestinians was thought to be the Oslo Accords, the 1993 agreements meant to produce a Palestinian state on the West Bank and Gaza, territory that Israel had conquered in 1967 and militarily occupied since.
    — Karl Vick, Time, 11 Oct. 2025
  • Good versus evil and darkness versus light, and good must conquer evil.
    — Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
Definition of conquer
Verb
  • Their discoveries have opened new paths for therapies that either suppress or activate immune responses, depending on the disease.
    — Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Major evidence, including the alleged murder weapon, was suppressed as a result.
    — Ryan Murphy, IndyStar, 9 Oct. 2025
Definition of suppress
Verb
  • During a trip to Mallon Farm with Prince William, the Princess of Wales mastered fall style with a black turtleneck, a cardigan, and a utility jacket.
    — Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 15 Oct. 2025
  • Altogether, the ensemble was similar to countryside ‘fits worn by her predecessors, Princess Diana and Queen Elizabeth, who had mastered the art of sporty but still feminine dressing for the UK’s chillier climates.
    — Sam Reed, Glamour, 15 Oct. 2025
Definition of master
Verb
  • Orders in Memphis would subject troops to the Posse Comitatus Act, which bars them from engaging in law enforcement.
    — Devon M. Sayers, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Many employers already subject potential hires to elaborate interview and testing regimes, sometimes requiring them to perform tasks or problem-solve while recruiters watch.
    — Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2025
Definition of subject

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subdue
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Cite this Entry

“Subdue.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subdue. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

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