subside

verb

sub·​side səb-ˈsīd 

subsided; subsiding

intransitive verb

1

: to sink or fall to the bottom : settle

2

: to tend downward : descend

especially : to flatten out so as to form a depression

3

: to let oneself settle down : sink

subsided into a chair

4

: to become quiet or less

as the fever subsides

my anger subsided

subsidence

səb-ˈsī-dᵊn(t)s  ˈsəb-sə-dən(t)s 

noun

Synonyms of subside

• diminish
• decrease
• fall
• vanish
• shrink
• ease
• decline
• recede

Choose the Right Synonym for subside

abate, subside, wane, ebb mean to die down in force or intensity.

abate stresses the idea of progressive diminishing.

the storm abated

subside implies the ceasing of turbulence or agitation.

the protests subsided after a few days

wane suggests the fading or weakening of something good or impressive.

waning enthusiasm

ebb suggests the receding of something (such as the tide) that commonly comes and goes.

the ebbing of daylight

Examples of subside in a Sentence

The pain will subside in a couple of hours.

After his anger had subsided, he was able to look at things rationally.

We'll have to wait until the wind subsides.

The road will remain closed until the water subsides.

Recent Examples on the Web

The heaviest fighting between Israel and Hamas has subsided since a ceasefire last October, but Israeli fire has killed more than 1,360 Palestinians in Gaza, according to health officials in the territory. — Arkansas Online, 15 Sep. 2026

While the heaviest fighting in Gaza has subsided since the fragile ceasefire took hold in October, Israel has continued to carry out strikes in the territory, including some overnight and into Tuesday that killed several people. — ABC News, 15 Sep. 2026

By 2018, the protests largely had subsided as leaders of the Players Coalition sought to advance the fight beyond kneeling. — Mike Jones, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026

The strongest winds were expected to subside later Monday, but low humidity and elevated fire danger could linger through the week. — Sacbee.com, 14 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin subsidere, from sub- + sidere to sit down, sink; akin to Latin sedēre to sit — more at sit

First Known Use

1607, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for subside

• abide
• allied
• applied
• aside
• astride
• azide
• backside
• bankside
• bastide
• bayside
• bedside
• belied

Kids Definition

subside

verb

sub·​side səb-ˈsīd 

subsided; subsiding

1

: to sink or fall to the bottom : settle

2

: to become quiet or less : abate

as the fever subsides

my anger subsided

subsidence

səb-ˈsīd-ᵊn(t)s 

ˈsəb-səd-ən(t)s

noun

Medical Definition

subside

intransitive verb

sub·​side səb-ˈsīd 

subsided; subsiding

: to lessen in severity : become diminished

the fever subsided

subsidence

səb-ˈsīd-ᵊn(t)s  ˈsəb-səd-ən(t)s 

noun