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

Critics say college dismantled oversight to control money After the ousters of Sheehy and McDonough, concerns about the handling of donor funds did not subside. —Alice Herman, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 June 2025

Minor flooding was forecast to subside by late morning. —Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025

By late afternoon, scientists said the event had subsided. —Colleen Barry, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2025

Yet, the excitement quickly subsided—shares fell 1.18% in after-hours trading to $178.84 following a mixed Q1 earnings report that exceeded EPS expectations but fell short on sales forecasts. —Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025