# subdue

/səbˈdu/ (US) · /sʌbdjˈuː/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/subdue
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. to control by force

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to use force to stop someone from fighting or to take control of a place.

For teachers: to bring a person, group, or territory under physical or political control, typically through the use of superior force.

- The police managed to subdue the suspect without anyone getting hurt.
- Government forces moved quickly to subdue the rebellion in the northern provinces before the unrest could spread to the capital.

Usage: This is a transitive verb and requires a direct object, such as a person, a crowd, or a nation.

### 2. to quieten a feeling

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to make a strong feeling or a bright colour less intense.

For teachers: to reduce the intensity of a physical sensation, emotion, or visual quality.

- She tried to subdue her excitement so she wouldn't seem unprofessional.
- The interior designer used soft lighting and neutral tones to subdue the harsh natural glare of the sun-drenched atrium.

Usage: Often used with abstract nouns like 'anger', 'excitement', or 'fear'.

## Examples

- The police managed to subdue the suspect without any injuries.
- She struggled to subdue her growing panic as the elevator came to a sudden halt between floors.
- The military was deployed to subdue the uprising in the northern provinces, though the government later admitted that force alone could not resolve the underlying social grievances.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.