subdues

VERB

keep under control; moderate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

conquer crush extinguish humble overcome overpower quell repress restrain suppress tame temper

STRONG

break check control defeat discipline dominate drop gentle mellow overrun quash quench quiet quieten reduce soften squelch subjugate trample vanquish

WEAK

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

STRONGEST

aggravate agitate build up encourage let go lose praise release surrender yield

STRONG

aid allow assist give up help liberate permit start strengthen

WEAK

arouse incite rouse

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In person, Huang subdues his ironic braggadocio with polite eye contact and rolling belly laughs at his own jokes.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 1, 2026

We don’t yet know how MiniFlayer subdues its helper, or whether MindFlayer has evolved countermeasures.

From Salon • Nov. 9, 2023

He cited Philippine national hero Jose Rizal’s description of justice “as the foremost virtue of the civilizing races. It subdues the barbarous nations while injustice arouses the weakest.”

From Seattle Times • Mar. 2, 2023

Nathan, a rich Jewish trader, is wooed by Salah ad-Din to shore up the city’s treasury after the sultan subdues the Christian crusaders, sparing one, played with amusing energy by Drew Kopas.

From Washington Post • Mar. 24, 2022

It subdues the barbarous nations, while injustice arouses the weakest.

From The Philippines A Century Hence by Rizal, Jos?