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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

Examples 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 Advertisement Trading was expected to be subdued this week with a thin slate of economic data on the calendar. Alex Veiga, Los Angeles Times, 26 Dec. 2024 In a cultural moment when subdued, probing prestige TV is king, Rivals, like Rupert and Declan, gives a middle fingers to it. Chloe Malle, Vogue, 24 Dec. 2024 Globally, demand in the sector remains subdued due to oversupplies in the European market as well as high inventory levels in China. Trefis Team, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024 The higher end of the treble is somewhat subdued and can get stepped on when the lower frequencies are busy. PCMAG, 17 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for subdue 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subdue
Verb
  • The Lunar Owls overcame a six-point deficit and ended up winning the league’s first game 84-80 after Diggins-Smith hit a game-ending 3-pointer.
    Sabreena Merchant, The Athletic, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Both quarterbacks, roommates at the Manning Passing Academy, overcame difficult, and certainly shocking, defeats on their way to leading Ohio State and Notre Dame, respectively, to Monday’s CFP national championship game in Atlanta.
    Tom Layberger, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • That means that this one very human skill is what your career needs, in order to conquer the future of work.
    Chris Westfall, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
  • King Godfrey of Bouillon, who conquered the region, carried it as his personal coat of arms.
    Timothy Nerozzi, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 14 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Recent fears about potential payroll disruptions due to budget delays were quelled by Robinson's assurance that a budget will be passed before the 15th, ensuring employees receive their paychecks.
    Eplunus Colvin, arkansasonline.com, 3 Jan. 2025
  • Riley issued a public statement in an effort to quell swirling Butler trade rumors last month, insisting Miami would not move on from its best two-way player this year.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • In a nearly a three-hour match Friday in Melbourne, Vekić defeated No. 12 seed Diana Shnaider 7-6 (4), 6-7 (3), 7-5 to advance to the round of 16.
    Jill Martin, CNN, 17 Jan. 2025
  • But the white population usually defeats the preferred candidate of Black voters.
    Cheyanne M. Daniels, The Hill, 17 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Sonos’ community forums and subreddit have been dominated by complaints and an overwhelmingly negative sentiment since the spring.
    Chris Welch, The Verge, 13 Jan. 2025
  • For the past couple of decades, moral psychology has been dominated by what’s known as moral-foundations theory, or M.F.T.
    Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 13 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Some Korean veterans of that war were also involved in suppressing uprisings such as the one in Gwangju.
    Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 14 Jan. 2025
  • Facebook played a major role in the 2020 election and came under fire from Trump and Republicans for allegedly suppressing conservative voices.
    Brady Knox, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 14 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Transforming classic dishes into allergen-friendly versions is an art Chef Liz has mastered.
    Allison Palmer, Charlotte Observer, 8 Jan. 2025
  • In contrast, quantum computers training on quantum data need exponentially fewer examples to master a task.
    Charina Chou, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • In one sketch, Chase plays a man interviewing Pryor for a job, and subjects him to a word-association test.
    Susan Morrison, The New Yorker, 13 Jan. 2025
  • If so, a regulator could subject the fee to the same tax treatment as sports wagering.
    Matt Rybaltowski, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near subdue

Cite this Entry

“Subdue.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subdue. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on subdue

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