Synonyms of subside

subside

verb

səb-ˈsīd 

as in to diminish

to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually

as the noise of the siren subsided, I was able to fall back to sleep

Synonyms & Similar Words

• diminish
• decrease
• fall
• vanish
• shrink
• ease
• decline
• recede
• ebb
• wane
• dwindle
• abate
• evaporate
• relent
• taper
• moderate
• lessen
• weaken
• die (away or down or out)
• drop (off)
• drain (away)
• pall
• fall away
• taper off
• lower
• let up
• remit
• phase down
• collapse
• ratchet (down)
• de-escalate
• rachet (down)
• compress
• alleviate
• relax
• constrict
• fade (away)
• slacken
• condense
• slow (down)
• tail (off)
• melt (away)
• contract
• peter (out)
• give out
• sink
• fritter (away)
• deflate
• cave (in)
• flag

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• increase
• intensify
• grow
• rise
• build
• escalate
• expand
• swell
• accumulate
• soar
• emerge
• appear
• enlarge
• mount
• pick up
• snowball
• wax
• balloon
• mushroom
• burgeon
• show up
• bourgeon
• lengthen
• distend
• elongate
• blow up

Synonym Chooser

How is the word subside distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of subside are abate, ebb, and wane. While all these words mean "to die down in force or intensity," subside implies the ceasing of turbulence or agitation.

the protests subsided after a few days

When can abate be used instead of subside?

While the synonyms abate and subside are close in meaning, abate stresses the idea of progressive diminishing.

the storm abated

When is ebb a more appropriate choice than subside?

The words ebb and subside are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ebb suggests the receding of something (such as the tide) that commonly comes and goes.

the ebbing of daylight

When is it sensible to use wane instead of subside?

Although the words wane and subside have much in common, wane suggests the fading or weakening of something good or impressive.

waning enthusiasm

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of subside

The excitement about maple sugar subsided, however, after the Louisiana Purchase enabled the production of cane sugar on American soil. —Nina Foster, JSTOR Daily, 28 Mar. 2025

Pain and itching should begin to subside as the scabs from shingles blisters heal, generally resolving by about one month to five weeks from your first symptoms. —Petra Guglielmetti, Glamour, 24 Mar. 2025

Even as the economy began to bounce back and the number of claims declined, complaints about the bureaucracy unemployed Coloradans must negotiate to pay their bills haven’t subsided. —Jessica Alvarado Gamez, The Denver Post, 23 Mar. 2025

While the threat of more tornadoes has subsided in the Great Plains, fire danger remains elevated Monday in the region. —Ginger Zee, ABC News, 17 Mar. 2025