SYNONYMS AND RELATED EXPRESSIONS
subdue
verb
To bring under control or reduce the force or intensity of something.
Local English device voice, when available. This is not a recorded dictionary pronunciation.
Bring under control
Closest synonyms
Related words and expressions
These extend or explain the idea and may require a different sentence structure.
Usage distinction
Return to topSubdue can reduce force or overcome resistance. Conquer implies a decisive victory, while moderate usually means reducing intensity rather than taking control.
CHECK THE MEANING IN CONTEXT
See subdue in use
A short break helped subdue the group's frustration before the discussion resumed.
A calm explanation helped subdue the rising anger between two travelers who had mistaken each other's luggage for an obstruction placed deliberately.
Compare an alternative with the original word in each passage. Shared meanings do not make every pair interchangeable.
Synonym reference scope and sources
The groups distinguish the senses selected for this study entry. Closest synonyms and broader related expressions have separate labels. The listed sources support lexical selection; not every phrase is a direct quotation from a source.
How the synonym reference was prepared / WordNet 3.0 license