subdue
- 01 C1 Advanced
to use force to stop someone from fighting or to take control of a place.
to bring a person, group, or territory under physical or political control, typically through the use of superior force.
Simple“The police managed to subdue the suspect without anyone getting hurt.”
In context“Government forces moved quickly to subdue the rebellion in the northern provinces before the unrest could spread to the capital.”
UsageThis is a transitive verb and requires a direct object, such as a person, a crowd, or a nation.
- 02 C1 Advanced
to make a strong feeling or a bright colour less intense.
to reduce the intensity of a physical sensation, emotion, or visual quality.
Simple“She tried to subdue her excitement so she wouldn't seem unprofessional.”
In context“The interior designer used soft lighting and neutral tones to subdue the harsh natural glare of the sun-drenched atrium.”
UsageOften used with abstract nouns like 'anger', 'excitement', or 'fear'.
“Their venom and bites evolved to subdue prey that is far smaller than a human.”
From Middle English subdewen, subduen, sodewen, from Old French souduire, from Latin subdūcō (“to draw away”), perhaps influenced by subdō (“to subdue, subject”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.