SUBDUE Synonyms: 167 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

subdue

verb

səb-ˈdü

Definition of subdue

as in to overcome

to achieve a victory over subdued her fear of the dark by joining a club for spelunkers

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to dominate

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

as in to quell

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

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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 Armed and hooded, the gang was waved in by Black and surprised, subdued, and handcuffed the other security guards. — Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Oct. 2026 Passengers and crew managed to subdue him, according to their own accounts, and an off-duty flight crew on the jet made a safe emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. — Tucker Reals, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026 The school's head teacher, Krzysztof Ochmanski, was injured while subduing the teenager, officials said. — James Cirrone, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026 The teenager was subdued by the school's principal and taken into custody, according to Polish news agency PAP. — ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for subdue

Recent Examples of Synonyms for subdue

Verb

Experts who are part of consultations expect the new policy to lay down clear and consistent rules, which will also help the industry overcome challenges around land acquisition and simplify a fragmented approval process.

— Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026
The song addresses overcoming adversity and using others’ doubts to fuel your passion.

— Melinda Newman, Billboard, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of overcome

Verb

Apple and Samsung also continue to dominate the smartphone market.

— Sam Birchall, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
The problem for Weiss and the new leadership is that the US’ relationship with Israel and Israel’s military actions in the Middle East seems increasingly poised to dominate electoral politics in the coming years.

— semafor.com, semafor.com, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of dominate

Verb

Some areas have received enough rain to quell the risk for the rest of the season, while others probably need another soaking.

— Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
Trump is waging a campaign in the final moments of the midterm election to quell discontent among farmers, truckers and drivers exhausted by $4 gas and near-record diesel.

— Matt Egan, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of quell

Verb

This was the sixth year in a row that the Yankees failed to defeat a higher-seeded playoff opponent.

— Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 22 Oct. 2026
Although supporters say the fear that billionaires will flee the state are overblown, the ultrawealthy have made moves to potentially avoid paying the tax or are funding campaigns to defeat it.

— Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of defeat

Verb

Before conquering Hollywood, Ali played Division I basketball (standing at six feet four) and released rap albums under the name Prince Ali.

— The New Yorker, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2026
The announcement comes after a summer in which AI models have repeatedly conquered many of math’s longstanding open challenges, including one of the seven Millennium Prize Problems.

— Rachel Crowell, Scientific American, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of conquer

Verb

By failing to suppress a Democratic campaign ad about the scandal, the Republican Party is only calling more attention to the misuse of $10 million meant for Florida’s Medicaid program.

— Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026
Critics say the changes could suppress overseas turnout; volunteers have responded with VoteBnB, matching voters with rides and places to stay near polling stations.

— Branimir Pipal, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of suppress

Verb

Ward went on to join Ohio’s BalletMet and North Carolina Dance Theatre, mastering classical and neoclassical styles until his heart demanded a move beyond those orthodoxies.

— Guillermo Perez, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2026
Complicating things is the current Administration, which has mastered the art of using those message-delivery systems to spread doubt and discontent and suspicion.

— Deborah Treisman, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of master

Verb

The company then needs to incorporate that hardware into a complete Neutron first stage, and then subject that stage to a battery of tests.

— Mike Wall, Space.com, 16 Oct. 2026
According to prosecutors, intelligence officers attacked him from behind, causing a serious back injury, and subsequently subjected him to electric shocks.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of subject

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“Subdue.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subdue. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

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