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
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
The pub is first and foremost a refuge from women, occasionally a place to display them, more often a scene of affirmation in the business of subduing them.
—
Rachel Cusk, Harper's Magazine, 19 Feb. 2025
As the film concludes, Dr. Cawley and Dr. Sheehan exchange a glance before Andrew (a.k.a. Teddy) is apprehended by guards, which indicates that he will be forced to undergo a lobotomy to subdue his violent behavior.
—Nicole Briese, People.com, 19 Feb. 2025
Alternative options have always existed—imperial Germany used Zeppelin airships in World War I to subdue the city of London, and Nazi Germany developed V-1 cruise missiles and V-2 ballistic missiles in World War II.
—Raphael S. Cohen, Foreign Affairs, 18 Feb. 2025
The print—whether horizontal or vertical, colorful or subdued—easily complements trending hues and patterns.
—Cortne Bonilla, Vogue, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for subdue
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Rachel Cusk, Harper's Magazine, 19 Feb. 2025
As the film concludes, Dr. Cawley and Dr. Sheehan exchange a glance before Andrew (a.k.a. Teddy) is apprehended by guards, which indicates that he will be forced to undergo a lobotomy to subdue his violent behavior.
—Nicole Briese, People.com, 19 Feb. 2025
Alternative options have always existed—imperial Germany used Zeppelin airships in World War I to subdue the city of London, and Nazi Germany developed V-1 cruise missiles and V-2 ballistic missiles in World War II.
—Raphael S. Cohen, Foreign Affairs, 18 Feb. 2025
The print—whether horizontal or vertical, colorful or subdued—easily complements trending hues and patterns.
—Cortne Bonilla, Vogue, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for subdue
Cite this Entry
“Subdue.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subdue. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.
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
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