Synonyms for subdue
- conquer
- crush
- extinguish
- humble
- overcome
- overpower
- quell
- repress
- restrain
- suppress
- tame
- temper
- break
- check
- control
- defeat
- discipline
- dominate
- drop
- gentle
- mellow
- overrun
- quash
- quench
- quiet
- quieten
- reduce
- soften
- squelch
- subjugate
- trample
- vanquish
- bear down
- beat down
- break in
- get the better of
- get the upper hand
- get under control
- put down
- shut down
- tone down
- triumph over
Antonyms for subdue
- aggravate
- agitate
- build up
- encourage
- let go
- lose
- praise
- release
- surrender
- yield
- aid
- allow
- assist
- give up
- help
- liberate
- permit
- start
- strengthen
- arouse
- incite
- rouse
EXAMPLES FROM THE WEB FOR SUBDUE
Oh, strong, strong are the ties of flesh, and hard it is to subdue the spirit!
She looked at him with a nervous repugnance to his appearance, which she tried to subdue.
In vain the Woman Perfect struggled to subdue her mirth to penitence.
Every attempt to subdue or extirpate them, has proved abortive.
He was as utterly unable to prevent or subdue this fear, as he was to prevent his breathing.
When Hermione understood this she remained where she was, trying to subdue even her breathing.
He tried to close his senses, to subdue and annihilate them.
You have, as my country had, a vast continent with savage nature to subdue.
"Paul, he is conscious," she cried in a voice that her anxiety could not subdue.
Subdue the flesh without despising it, in humility and thankfulness.
WORD ORIGIN
late 14c., "to conquer," from Old French souduire "deceive, seduce," from Latin subducere "draw, lead away, withdraw" (see subduce). The sense seems to have been taken in Anglo-French from Latin subdere. Subduct in the sense of "subtract" is from 1570s. Related: Subdued; subduing.