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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

Example 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 Appearing for the government, Brian Hudak offered a subdued, if at times obtuse, defense. Susan B. Glasser, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2025 As a result, homebuyer demand is likely to remain subdued until rates or prices come down meaningfully. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 22 Mar. 2025 Three other passengers then pulled him and his sister to the ground before Airport Police arrived at the scene and subdued him, the filing states. Natalia Senanayake, People.com, 12 Mar. 2025 Medium-bodied this has excellent ripeness, very good acidity, subdued wood notes, medium-weight tannins and very good persistence. Tom Hyland, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for subdue
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subdue
Verb
  • Republicans will need Democratic support to overcome a 60-vote threshold to be able to pass the bill in the Senate.
    John Parkinson, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2025
  • After Republicans in the House and Senate had forged ahead on their own budget blueprints earlier this year, the Senate on Saturday adopted the compromise resolution, giving the House just days to overcome opposition and get it over the finish line before the recess.
    Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 9 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • This year, he was tasked with conquering the opponent’s best hitters in Game 1, and that doesn’t figure to change.
    Zack Meisel, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Channel this passion into some focused new moon intentions on April 27, but don’t let yourself be driven by a sheer need to conquer.
    Nina Kahn, StyleCaster, 24 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Rubio sought to quell anxieties among his European counterparts as Trump’s tariffs take effect, the president mulls withdrawing from NATO altogether and U.S. support for Ukraine hangs in the balance.
    Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Anti-Diversity Policies: The U.S. State Department is seeking to quell a diplomatic tempest roiling Europe after several American Embassies sent letters to foreign contractors instructing them to certify their compliance with Trump’s policies aimed at unraveling diversity programs.
    Victoria Kim, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • In his first defense of the IBF crown, Ennis defeated David Avanesyan when the fight was halted before the start of the sixth round.
    Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The Kings defeated the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the play-in tournament before losing to the New Orleans Pelicans in a game that would have sent them to the playoffs as the No.
    Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Houston and Florida play for title and put a different spin on the underdog role to wrap the NCAA Tournament UConn returns to top of women’s basketball, dominates South Carolina 82-59 to capture its 12th NCAA title Tomislav Ivišić will return to Illinois — and be joined by twin Zvonimir.
    Alanis Thames, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2025
  • The singer-songwriter has spent the past several years not just dominating the music rankings in the U.S. and abroad, but essentially rewriting what commercial success looks like for a solo artist in the modern age.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • To tell the Blue Devils, basically, not to suppress their emotions.
    Brendan Marks, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
  • The new, later Equal Pay Day marks a troubling reminder of how systemic barriers—ranging from occupational segregation to discrimination in hiring and promotion—continue to suppress the earning power of Black women.
    Jasmine Browley, Essence, 25 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • To learn even more about the Omnibus changes and how an ERP-centric system can benefit your business, read SAP’s latest white paper on mastering CSRD here.
    Sophia Mendelsohn, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • The award-winning, seventh-generation papier-mâché artisan will be the last in his family to master the craft.
    Fahad Shah, Christian Science Monitor, 2 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Francis, who subjected himself to questioning by the inquiry, was found not to have been provided with any documentation regarding allegations against McCarrick.
    Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2025
  • But plastic is a poor reflector of X-rays, which allowed the deadly disc to evade detection and subjecting the mother, grandmother and beloved family matriarch to prolonged anguish that culminated in her death on Dec. 13, 2023.
    Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Subdue.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subdue. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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