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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 Perhaps Acer took the media’s criticism to heart, because the design language of the newly unveiled Nitro Blaze 8 and Nitro Blaze 11 is more subdued. Jason Evangelho, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025 Several bystanders intervened, subduing the man until police arrived on the scene. Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 31 Dec. 2024 The stock was subdued through the first half as elevated borrowing costs weighed on big-ticket home improvement projects. Paulina Likos, CNBC, 31 Dec. 2024 The ceremony, traditionally celebratory, was subdued as protesters gathered outside the Capitol in San Juan. Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for subdue 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subdue
Verb
  • From Klay Thompson to Shaun Livingston to Ball, the NBA has been filled with stories of players overcoming tremendous physical and personal adversity to return to the court.
    Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 17 Jan. 2025
  • 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
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
  • ByteDance has tried to quell concerns about TikTok by noting 100% of U.S. traffic was routed to Oracle and U.S. Digital Service infrastructure in the United States as of 2022.
    Antonio Pequeño IV, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025
  • Hopes of cease-fire and hostage exchange deal first confirmed by the U.S. and Qatar on Wednesday appeared to be quelled by the time Americans were waking up on Thursday morning.
    Caitlin McFall, Fox News, 16 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
  • He doesn’t seem driven by demons or a need to dominate anyone.
    Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 25 Jan. 2025
  • The two stars have figured out how to complement each other, using their respective strengths to dominate opponents.
    Brian Sampson, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • 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
  • 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
Verb
  • Focus on understanding end-to-end processes and business cases and mastering the art of asking questions.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
  • The challenges his agenda attempts to address accumulated over decades, and are now greater than can be mastered by any one leader, or even one country.
    Massimo Calabresi, TIME, 19 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The rule has subjected those assets to strict capital requirements, significantly raising the financial and regulatory risks of offering crypto custody services.
    MacKenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 24 Jan. 2025
  • In a ruling that will ripple across digital media, the U.S. Supreme Court has upheld a law effectively subjecting TikTok to a national ban Sunday.
    Winston Cho, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near subdue

Cite this Entry

“Subdue.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subdue. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on subdue

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