as in muted
not excessively showy
the wedding was a subdued affair, with only close family and friends attending
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in defeated
to achieve a victory over
subdued her fear of the dark by joining a club for spelunkers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dominated
to bring under one's control by force of arms
subdued the rebels and sent their leaders to the gallows
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in suppressed
to put a stop to (something) by the use of force
labored through the night to subdue the river's rising waters by building a wall of sandbags around their property
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of subdued
Jason Ma, Fortune, 28 Sep. 2025
Eventually the euphoria of the moment started giving way to subdued appreciation.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 27 Sep. 2025
Tim Spiers, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
Another finding is that risk appetite is understandably subdued.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for subdued
Adjective
Economists see an uptick in hiring, though still at a subdued level.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 28 Sep. 2025
Eventually the euphoria of the moment started giving way to subdued appreciation.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 27 Sep. 2025
Verb
A bit subdued and a bit of a passenger.
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
Another finding is that risk appetite is understandably subdued.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for subdued
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subdued
Adjective
-
It was all suitably muted and understated.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
25 Oct. 2025
-
BeCalm is full of smart little touches that make life easier — think hidden pockets for your phone, buttery-soft fabrics that never cling, and muted tones that actually make getting dressed feel calming.—
Katie Ann Lehman,
StyleCaster,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has not defeated Barcelona in La Liga play since October 2021.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Oregon defeated Wisconsin 21-7 in front of 58,940 fans at Autzen Stadium.—
Jordan Sigler,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Though the rookie showed promise in his first NBA action, the Celtics were dominated on the glass, dismantled in transition and thumped on both ends of the court throughout a destructive second quarter.—
Jay King,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Hoover, a BookTok mega-phenomenon whose novels have dominated the New York Times best-seller list, has several books in the process of being adapted.—
Katy Waldman,
New Yorker,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
However, these cells are normally suppressed by testosterone and kept in check by the body’s overall hormone balance.—
Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt,
CNN Money,
26 Oct. 2025
-
The autocratic czarist regime ruled with an iron hand and suppressed opposition through censorship, banishment, and executions.—
Karl Ove Knausgaard,
New Yorker,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Where to stay On a quiet side street in the Latin Quarter, near the Jardin des Plantes and a 30-minute stroll from the catacombs is the Le Jardin de Verre by Locke, which opened in March 2025.—
Sophie Friedman,
AFAR Media,
22 Oct. 2025
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Meloni told the Saturday Night Live star to remain quiet as he FaceTimed Hargitay, who was en route to Poehler’s podcast.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Few people have mastered the art of quietly luxurious style as well as Gwyneth Paltrow, and a quick scroll through her Instagram page proves it.—
Melony Forcier,
PEOPLE,
26 Oct. 2025
-
The Whisky Highball has become the de-facto national mixed drink of Japan, and the Japanese have, predictably, mastered the art.—
Jeremy Repanich,
Robb Report,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Amy Schumer has conquered comedy and television.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Nature has been conquered by cellular coverage.—
Ian Bogost,
The Atlantic,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The attorney for Illinois countered that the situation on the ground, specifically at Broadview, had been quelled by state police after restrictions on protest hours were instituted.—
Connor Greene,
Time,
23 Oct. 2025
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The ensuing years of widespread speculation, meme coins, volatility, and the fall of Sam Bankman-Fried’s FTX quelled any remaining enthusiasm.—
Kim Velsey,
Curbed,
17 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Subdued.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subdued. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
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