WordLens

subdue

1 of 1verb
/səbˈdu/
Forms:subdues,subduing,subdued,subdued
1

to bring something or someone under control, often using authority or force

transitive
  • The police officer had to subdue the suspect during the altercation.
  • Ongoing efforts are currently underway to subdue the rebellion.
  • The military intervention has successfully subdued the insurgency in the region.
  • The security forces swiftly subdued the riot with minimal casualties.
  • The government plans to use force if necessary to subdue any uprising.
Synonyms:
conquerstamp downsuppress
2

to conquer or bring under control

transitive
  • The king's armies marched to subdue neighboring kingdoms and expand his empire.
  • The ancient empire sought to subdue distant lands and expand its influence across continents.
  • The Roman Empire attempted to subdue Gaul through military campaigns and strategic alliances.
  • During the colonial era, European powers sought to subdue vast territories in Africa and Asia.
  • Over time, the Mongol Empire expanded to subdue a vast expanse of territory across Asia and Europe.
Synonyms:
subordinate
3

to effectively take control in a situation

transitive
  • The team worked together to subdue the challenging project, successfully meeting the tight deadline.
  • After months of hard work, she managed to subdue the complex negotiations and secure a favorable deal.
  • Facing the unpredictable challenges of entrepreneurship, she used innovation and adaptability to subdue the ever-changing business landscape.
  • With the power of storytelling, the author sought to subdue the complexities of human emotions, weaving a narrative that resonated with readers around the world.
  • Through effective communication and conflict resolution, the manager was able to subdue workplace disputes, creating a more harmonious environment.
Synonyms:
get oversurmountmasterovercome
4

to bring something under control, typically through willpower or restraint

transitive
  • She had to subdue her fear of public speaking before giving her presentation.
  • He tried to subdue his anger before responding to the provocation.
  • She had to subdue her excitement when she received the job offer to maintain professionalism.
  • He took deep breaths to subdue his anxiety before the important job interview.
Synonyms:
crucifymortify