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 be-ins, the marches, and the riots had mostly subsided, leaving a strange quiet in their place. —Andrew Durbin, Vulture, 13 Apr. 2026

In 2020, Bad Robot capitalized on another moment in time to strike a megabucks renewal deal with WBTV — but momentum has observably subsided within the once-utopian Bad Robot offices (complete with a private chef and movie stars working in residence). —Joe Otterson, Variety, 8 Apr. 2026

The shock of it all has only started to subside. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 7 Apr. 2026

The early swell of activity has subsided into a more manageable drumbeat of visitors, according to the Wildlands Conservancy, which owns and manages the preserve. —Gregory Thomas, San Francisco Chronicle, 5 Apr. 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