Synonyms of subdued

subdued 1 of 2

adjective

səb-ˈdüd 

as in muted

not excessively showy

the wedding was a subdued affair, with only close family and friends attending

Synonyms & Similar Words

• muted
• restrained
• quiet
• understated
• repressed
• conservative
• low-key
• simple
• proper
• unpretentious
• sober
• toned-down
• appropriate
• unflashy
• fitting
• suitable
• modest
• handsome
• plain
• graceful
• becoming
• unadorned
• inconspicuous
• unobtrusive
• fit
• undecorated
• sensible
• unnoticeable
• drab
• tasteful
• practical
• refined
• mousy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• loud
• flamboyant
• gaudy
• noisy
• garish
• flashy
• ostentatious
• glitzy
• swank
• splashy
• flaring
• meretricious
• vulgar
• tawdry
• tacky
• tasteless
• fancy
• inelegant
• gilded
• ornate
• trashy
• razzle-dazzle
• baroque
• graceless
• overwrought
• frilly
• rococo
• overdone
• overdecorated

subdued

2 of 2

verb

past tense of subdue

1

as in defeated

to achieve a victory over

subdued her fear of the dark by joining a club for spelunkers

Synonyms & Similar Words

• defeated
• mastered
• overcame
• conquered
• beat
• took
• dispatched
• got
• stopped
• surmounted
• bested
• succeeded
• trimmed
• worsted
• prevailed (over)
• overmatched
• got the better of
• licked
• upended
• won (against)
• triumphed (over)
• overwhelmed
• got around
• finished
• swept
• crushed
• buried
• upset
• did down
• slaughtered
• skunked
• surpassed
• flattened
• knocked for a loop
• whipped
• annihilated
• overbore
• overpowered
• subjugated
• excelled
• vanquished
• flourished
• exceeded
• scored
• thrashed
• routed
• clobbered
• bombed
• trounced
• capped
• blew out
• skinned
• topped
• shellacked
• waxed
• transcended
• smoked
• eclipsed
• blew away
• edged (out)
• creamed
• walloped
• outstripped
• snowed under
• broke
• outshone
• pipped
• knocked over
• bettered
• outdid
• overthrew
• outdistanced
• unseated
• nosed out
• knocked off
• drubbed
• aced (out)
• overtopped
• outfought

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• lost (to)
• fell
• went down
• failed
• collapsed
• gave up
• folded
• washed out
• went under
• flopped
• flunked

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

• dominated
• conquered
• subjected
• defeated
• overpowered
• overcame
• subjugated
• vanquished
• pacified
• reduced
• enslaved
• subordinated
• crushed
• beat
• suppressed
• smashed
• whipped
• annihilated
• quelled
• routed
• thrashed
• licked
• prevailed (over)
• repressed
• triumphed (over)
• silenced
• clobbered
• trounced
• smothered
• mowed (down)
• squelched
• quashed
• squashed
• walloped
• drubbed
• snuffed (out)
• skunked
• put down
• broke
• cracked down (on)
• clamped down (on)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• liberated
• released
• freed
• discharged
• emancipated
• sprang
• enfranchised
• unbound
• manumitted
• unfettered
• unchained
• uncaged

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

• suppressed
• quelled
• repressed
• silenced
• crushed
• stifled
• sat on
• quashed
• destroyed
• extinguished
• squashed
• squelched
• overcame
• snuffed (out)
• slapped down
• cracked down (on)
• clamped down (on)
• put down
• demolished
• dominated
• quenched
• throttled
• obliterated
• strangled
• decimated
• doused
• smothered
• ruined
• overwhelmed
• wrecked
• subjugated
• annihilated
• overpowered
• vanquished
• conquered
• exterminated
• wiped out
• devastated
• smashed
• wasted
• desolated
• put out
• nuked
• rubbed out

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• aided
• assisted
• helped
• supported
• backed
• provoked
• stirred
• abetted
• propped up
• whipped (up)
• encouraged
• instigated
• cultivated
• advanced
• promoted
• incited
• fostered
• forwarded
• nurtured
• furthered
• fomented
• nourished

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of subdued

Adjective

Still, those who prosper based on achieving productivity advances naturally have greater wealth than before, only to drive up other prices formerly lower due to more subdued economic growth. — John Tamny, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Unlike the lavish 2023 coronation held at Westminster Abbey that feted King Charles’ accession to the throne, the ceremony that marks the start of King Haakon’s reign will be much more subdued. — Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 28 Aug. 2026

Verb

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

Sullivan argued that officers had control and had subdued him enough. — Charlotte Observer, 22 Aug. 2026