subdue Definition
sub·due (-do̵̅o̅′, -dyo̵̅o̅′)
transitive verb -·dued′, -·du′·ing
- to bring into subjection; conquer; vanquish
- to overcome, as by persuasion or training; control
- to make less intense; reduce; diminish; soften; allay
- to repress (emotions, passions, etc.)
- to bring (land) under cultivation
Etymology: ME subdewen (altered in sense and form by assoc. with L subdere, to put under, subject) < OFr soduire, to withdraw, seduce < L subducere: see subduce
subdue Related Forms
subdue Synonyms
subdue
v.
subdue Usage Examples
Subject
force: The nation which has declared itself your enemy must be subdued by force of arms and forced to submit to your way of thinking.
Object
- defilement: Therefore, they tried to find a way to temporarily subdue defilements.
- Saxon: He subdued the Saxons after about 30 years of war and forced them to accept Christianity.
- tribe: They were unable, however, to subdue the fierce tribes in the north.
- rebellion: The government has sent thousands of troops to subdue the rebellion in the enclave, which has no border with the rest of Angola.
- enemy: However the American way is to use massive force to subdue the enemy then attack the remnants.
- lighting: Set in the dark Assembly Rooms, with subdued lighting, the Grandmothers met together for the first time.
Preposition: at
time: I've been involved in football for a few years and games on the 1st January can be a little subdued at times.
Adjective complement
due: However, domestic consumption and investment remained subdued due to near record unemployment and uncertainty about the future.
Modifying Another Word
- strangely: There was a strangely subdued atmosphere around the Show Court.
- unusually: In the 54th minute Adie Orr came on to replace Dave Swarbrick who had been unusually subdued.
- somewhat: The second of these tunes even managed to get the somewhat subdued crowd screaming along with the chorus.
- temporarily: No-one could have put it better and the Bristol fans were temporarily subdued as they watched the UWE fans chant at their victorious rowers.
- surprisingly: However, despite an encouraging performance from his players, Magpies manager Carl Taylor seemed surprisingly subdued.
- relatively: Despite some reports of improving retail sales volumes, consumer credit remains relatively subdued.
Used with why or when
when: Although an attractive flower its coloring Is somewhat subdued when compared with the brilliant cultivated tulips in our gardens.
Preposition: in
tone: The walls above the dado were subdued in tone, relieved by family portraits.
Preposition: with
hint: The nose was very subdued with some vague hints of a grassy or floral scent.
Preposition: for
time: The long and laborious study demanded by the sculptor's profession subdued for a long time Sarrasine's impetuous temperament and unruly genius.
Preposition: by
force: The nation which has declared itself your enemy must be subdued by force of arms and forced to submit to your way of thinking.
Browse dictionary entries near subdue
- ‹ subduction
- ‹ subduce
- ‹ subdominant
- ‹ subdivision
- ‹ subdivide
- ‹ subdistrict
- ‹ subdiaconate
- ‹ subdeb
- ‹ subdeacon
- ‹ subcutaneous
- subdued ›
- subdural ›
- subemployed ›
- subentry ›
- suberic acid ›
- suberin ›
- suberize ›
- subfamily ›
- subfloor ›
- subfreezing ›

