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

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 gloves deliver can an electrical shock strong enough to drop a strong man to his knees in an instant, and proponents say the gloves provide a fast and non-lethal way to subdue a person. — Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026 Hughes allegedly questioned the arrest and resisted officers before deputies subdued him. — Bradford Betz, FOXNews.com, 26 Aug. 2026 Bringing it on board with the White House’s latest effort to subdue an Iranian leadership stubbornly defiant after almost six months of war, however, is an extremely tall order. — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026 Once he was caught, Clark said Hughes tried to get out of his handcuffs and had to be subdued. — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for subdue

Recent Examples of Synonyms for subdue

Verb

Augusto, Marrero, Hernández and countless others have little choice but to figure things out which, in Cuban parlance, means overcoming whatever obstacle is placed in their way.

— Juan Carlos López, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2026
McKee, 75, will also have to overcome simmering anger over a bridge repair project that has dragged on longer than expected.

— ABC News, ABC News, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of overcome

Verb

That subjectivity and secrecy over how a winner is selected also builds suspense, particularly in the years that follow an era dominated by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, where a deeper pool of candidates now swims.

— Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
If someone dominates the conversation, redirect attention to what the group is trying to accomplish.

— Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of dominate

Verb

Hundreds of people were getting killed every year at street-level crossings, and to quell the public outcry, the railroads scrambled to elevate freight tracks citywide at their own expense.

— John Lippert, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026
The Season 3 finale jumps right into Daniel waking up a whole new person in Silo 1, summoned to quell the rebellion quickly going out of control in Silo 17 — Jimmy’s (Steve Zahn) home.

— Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of quell

Verb

Venus defeated Jennifer Capriati and Serena defeated Martina Hingis in front of a capacity crowd in Arthur Ashe Stadium.

— Lukas Weese, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
The Kangaroos accomplished that goal, defeating Paschal 31-18 and entering district competition on a positive note.

— Gavin Vieck, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of defeat

Verb

Until that point, Birmingham had looked dangerous, conquering the space vacated by City’s adventurous full-backs (in fact, Oceane Hurtre robbed a dithering Jade Rose on the edge of stoppage time for a consolation goal).

— Katie Whyatt, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
Back then, Below Deck hadn’t yet launched in the Mediterranean, the Housewives hadn’t yet conquered Potomac, and there were no Traitors, Summer House, or Mormon Wives to speak of.

— Ali Barthwell, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of conquer

Verb

The superconductivity weakened with the screening and was eventually completely suppressed.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026
The prairies’ clayey soils and other characteristics suppress tree growth, but allow native grasses, wildflowers and other herbaceous plants to thrive.

— Charles Seabrook, AJC.com, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of suppress

Verb

For a position that requires so much experience to master, playing quarterback can be an old man’s game.

— Jeff Howe, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Knowing how to apply lipstick is one of those essential beauty skills worth mastering, alongside nailing how to apply cream blush and perfecting your base.

— Emma-Jade Stoddart, Glamour, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of master

Verb

It is noted by one agent that, even though there are players Liverpool would happily have sold this summer and last, Hughes and his staff preferred to treat them respectfully rather than subject them to the ‘bomb squad’ treatment some clubs prefer.

— James Pearce, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
The beds can contain hundreds of blocks laid out in a grid, growing progressively deeper so an aircraft slows without subjecting the landing gear — or the people aboard — to extreme deceleration forces that can be deadly in a crash.

— Pete Muntean, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of subject

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subdue

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“Subdue.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subdue. Accessed 14 Sep. 2026.

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