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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 The color palette is subdued, with black and brown as the foundational shades and a burgundy, which is the fall seasonal color. Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 22 Sep. 2025 His selfless act allowed classmates to subdue the attackers and prevented what could have been a much larger tragedy. Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 21 Sep. 2025 Still, the postgame locker room was appropriately subdued. Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 21 Sep. 2025 The French retaliated, subdued the Amerindians, killing many and driving the rest to the north of the island. The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 19 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for subdue
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subdue
Verb
  • For Woodruff, The Green Kitchen was born out of her own healing journey after overcoming the Epstein-Barr virus and heavy metal toxicity through mindful eating and nutrient-dense foods.
    Wyles Daniel, AZCentral.com, 2 Oct. 2025
  • The six-week course, according to a syllabus, blends positive thinking with business and money strategies, offering advice on how to outwork the competition, manage ego, overcome failure and set goals — with homework assignments included.
    Liam Quinn, PEOPLE, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The same applies to coders and writers, who dominate AI adoption rates on platforms like Claude, the researchers found.
    Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Phillipe Chow adds to downtown Nashville's fine-dining scene Its arrival underscores the transformation of a downtown dining scene once dominated by honky-tonks and quick bites.
    Mackensy Lunsford, Nashville Tennessean, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The secondary route is a battle upward from the city of Ephyra to Mount Olympus to learn who is aiding Chronos in his siege of the mortal realm and quell it.
    Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2025
  • Rahm’s fantastic shot quelled any momentum Schauffele and Cantlay had built.
    Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 27 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The high point came in September 2014, when Brækhus defeated Croatian Ivana Habazin to add the IBF welterweight title to her WBA, WBC, and WBO belts – becoming the first woman in any weight division to be recognized as an undisputed champion.
    George Ramsay, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The Yankees defeated the rival Boston Red Sox in three games at Yankee Stadium Thursday night, and the Dodgers rolled over the Cincinnati Reds in a pair of lopsided affairs at Dodger Stadium, capped by an 8-4 finale Wednesday.
    Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Building on the site commenced in the 13th century under the instruction of Ibn al-Ahmar, the first member of the Nasrid family to be emir of Granada, and the sprawling compound was used by the emirs until Isabella and Ferdinand conquered the city in 1492.
    Fiona Mozley, Travel + Leisure, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Their methods—ruthless melodic math, brazenly artificial production, and an odd soft spot for reggae rhythms—helped define the world-conquering sound of Britney Spears and Backstreet Boys.
    Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Multiple fire departments worked to suppress the blaze, police said.
    Charles Ventura, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Tigers pitchers, meanwhile, rank 14th in suppressing home runs.
    Zack Meisel, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • No other team has been able to master it like the Eagles have been able to.
    Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
  • From day one, new consultants rotate across industries, geographies, and functions, adapting on the fly and mastering unfamiliar businesses.
    Ruth Umoh, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Orders in Memphis would subject troops to the Posse Comitatus Act, which bars them from engaging in law enforcement.
    Devon M. Sayers, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Many employers already subject potential hires to elaborate interview and testing regimes, sometimes requiring them to perform tasks or problem-solve while recruiters watch.
    Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Subdue.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subdue. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

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