to subdue

Examples

• All

• The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.

  Lex Fridman

• Once the police officer has has subdued and detained the criminal, their job is done.

• And that was enough to subdue the men for the time being.

• Two of my staff have been killed trying to subdue the subject.

  The Dark Within (2020)

• Maybe they could even subdue him.

  Gandhi (1982)

• And on the other hand, reason can subdue anger.

  Gregory B. Sadler - That Philosophy Guy

• I have managed to subdue the assailant.

  Johnny English (2003)

• And in fact, humans were created to have dominion over nature and to subdue nature.

  Ear Biscuits

• Kwanggaet'o expanded his state both north and south, coming close to subduing the entire Korean peninsula.

  Academic text (2002)

• The police use their training to subdue suspects who resist arrest.

Synonyms

C

to conquer

vsto subdue

397 3.7

To take control of a place by force or to beat something hard like a fear

focuses more on bringing under control, not only on winning territory or challenges

M

to master

vsto subdue

191 4.1

To learn something very well so you can do it easily

is less about skillful mastery and more about imposing control by force or effort

S

to suppress

vsto subdue

176 4.8

To stop public protest by force or by people in power

is broader, covering bringing under control as well as ending or suppressing

C

to coerce

vsto subdue

• Offensive

91 6.4

Force someone to do something by threats

is about bringing under control overall, not only forcing specific actions

R

to restrain

vsto subdue

86 4.6

Hold a person or thing so it cannot move freely

is broader, including defeating or suppressing as well as limiting movement

T

to tame

vsto subdue

68 3.0

To make something less wild or strong

is harsher, often involving force or authoritative suppression rather than gentle taming

S

to subject

vsto subdue

62 7.7

To bring a person or group under the control of another

is similar but can include softer control through effort or restraint rather than only power

R

to rein in

vsto subdue

53 4.6

To keep someone or something under control, for example by limiting spending

is stronger, involving full control or overcoming rather than temporary limitation

K

to keep down

vsto subdue

39 3.6

To stop people or groups from becoming stronger

is more forceful, aiming to control or suppress rather than merely limit growth

Q

to quell

vsto subdue

35 7.7

To stop a strong feeling or a crowd causing trouble

leans more toward physical or authoritative control and active restraint

S

to subjugate

vsto subdue

• Formal

21 9.2

To bring someone or something under control, often by force

refers to general control achieved by force, effort, or authority rather than only conquest

R

to repress

vsto subdue

19 6.7

Use force to stop protests or opposition

covers the same forceful control but also nonpolitical or physical restraint situations

Q

to quash

vsto subdue

• Formal

8 8.1

Forcefully stop something like a protest or rumor

is more general, covering both forceful endings and nonfinal control measures

B

to bring to heel

vsto subdue

• Informal

3 7.6

Make someone or something obey after they resist

is more general, including initial control without prior strong resistance

Q

to quell the insurrection

vsto subdue

• Formal

9.1

Use force to stop a rebellion or uprising

is broader, applying to many kinds of control beyond ending rebellions

S

to stamp down

vsto subdue

6.5

Stop something by using force or strict rules

can also mean softer control or gradual restriction rather than only crushing force

Antonyms

R

to release

∞ 1.8

To let someone or something go free from being held

L

to liberate

104 4.3

Set someone free from prison or unfair control

How Controlled

to crush

386 4.7

to overpower

33 3.8

to subdue

37 5.5

to restrain

86 4.6

to calm

962 1.0

Surface Forms

Etymology