subside

1 of 2

verb

sub·​side səb-ˈsīd 

subsided; subsiding

intransitive verb

1

: to sink or fall to the bottom : settle

2

: to tend downward : descend

especially : to flatten out so as to form a depression

3

: to let oneself settle down : sink

subsided into a chair

4

: to become quiet or less

as the fever subsides

my anger subsided

subsidence

səb-ˈsī-dᵊn(t)s  ˈsəb-sə-dən(t)s 

noun

subsidence

2 of 2

noun

sub·​sidence səbˈsīdᵊn(t)s 

ˈsəbsədən-

plural -s

1

: something (such as a sediment in a liquid) that has subsided

2

: the act or process of subsiding : a falling, lowering, or flattening out

the subsidence of waves after a storm

his anger underwent a quick subsidence

Synonyms of subside

Verb

• diminish
• decrease
• fall
• vanish
• shrink
• ease
• decline
• recede

Choose the Right Synonym for subside

abate, subside, wane, ebb mean to die down in force or intensity.

abate stresses the idea of progressive diminishing.

the storm abated

subside implies the ceasing of turbulence or agitation.

the protests subsided after a few days

wane suggests the fading or weakening of something good or impressive.

waning enthusiasm

ebb suggests the receding of something (such as the tide) that commonly comes and goes.

the ebbing of daylight

Examples of subside in a Sentence

Verb

The pain will subside in a couple of hours.

After his anger had subsided, he was able to look at things rationally.

We'll have to wait until the wind subsides.

The road will remain closed until the water subsides.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Although the heaviest fighting has subsided, the ceasefire has seen almost daily Israeli fire. —Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2026

Swell and surf will slowly subside beginning Thursday with a shorter period, but will remain elevated into Friday. —Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 7 June 2026

Not only is inflation on the rise again and currently sitting at its highest point in three years, but the hope for interest rate cuts this year has largely subsided. —Matt Richardson, CBS News, 4 June 2026

Within a day, the swelling began to subside, and throughout the ordeal, Maria says Saint never stopped acting like himself. —Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 2 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Latin subsidere, from sub- + sidere to sit down, sink; akin to Latin sedēre to sit — more at sit

Noun

Latin subsidentia, from subsident-, subsidens (present participle of subsidere to subside) + -ia

First Known Use

Verb

1607, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for subside

• abide
• allied
• applied
• aside
• astride
• azide
• backside
• bankside
• bastide
• bayside
• bedside
• belied

Kids Definition

subside

verb

sub·​side səb-ˈsīd 

subsided; subsiding

1

: to sink or fall to the bottom : settle

2

: to become quiet or less : abate

as the fever subsides

my anger subsided

subsidence

səb-ˈsīd-ᵊn(t)s 

ˈsəb-səd-ən(t)s

noun

Medical Definition

subside

intransitive verb

sub·​side səb-ˈsīd 

subsided; subsiding

: to lessen in severity : become diminished

the fever subsided

subsidence

səb-ˈsīd-ᵊn(t)s  ˈsəb-səd-ən(t)s 

noun