subdued; subduing
1
: to conquer and bring into subjection : vanquish
2
: to bring under control especially by an exertion of the will : curb
subdued my foolish fears
3
: to bring (land) under cultivation
4
: to reduce the intensity or degree of : tone down
subduer
noun
Synonyms
Examples of subdue in a Sentence
The troops were finally able to subdue the rebel forces after many days of fighting.
He was injured while trying to subdue a violent drunk.
She struggled to subdue her fears.
Recent Examples on the Web
If shelter cost inflation remains subdued, that may help move U.S. inflation lower still.
—
Simon Moore, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Another video shows a heated exchange between a man and two officers, culminating in the man being handcuffed, visibly bloodied and subdued with a stun gun.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
Although Trump argues that tariffs won’t spike prices, pointing to how inflation was subdued during his administration, many mainstream economists say otherwise.
—Matt Egan, CNN, 30 Oct. 2024
Mournful guitar and subdued harmonies surround, making this one of Nelson’s most evocative vocal renderings.
—Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 28 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for subdue 
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.
Simon Moore, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Another video shows a heated exchange between a man and two officers, culminating in the man being handcuffed, visibly bloodied and subdued with a stun gun.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
Although Trump argues that tariffs won’t spike prices, pointing to how inflation was subdued during his administration, many mainstream economists say otherwise.
—Matt Egan, CNN, 30 Oct. 2024
Mournful guitar and subdued harmonies surround, making this one of Nelson’s most evocative vocal renderings.
—Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 28 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for subdue
Dictionary Entries Near subdue
Cite this Entry
“Subdue.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subdue. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
subdue
verb
sub·due
səb-ˈd(y)ü 
subdued; subduing
1
: to overcome in battle
subdued the enemy
2
: to bring under control especially by willpower
subdued his fears
3
: to reduce the brightness or strength of : soften
tried to subdue the light
subduer
noun
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share