Word
subside
Phoneticssub·side
US/səbˈsaɪd/
UK/səbsˈaɪd/
Definition
v. to become less strong or active. You use this when something like a storm, a feeling, or a situation is getting better or ending.
v. to become less intense, severe, or widespread. Often describes the gradual reduction of physical symptoms, weather conditions, or social tensions.
Examples
“The rain began to subside after several hours.”
“The swelling in his ankle started to subside once he took the prescribed medication.”
“As the initial panic of the crowd began to subside, a sense of quiet determination took hold, allowing the emergency services to reach the injured safely.”
Examples
simple
“The rain began to subside after several hours.”
contextual
“The swelling in his ankle started to subside once he took the prescribed medication.”
complex
“As the initial panic of the crowd began to subside, a sense of quiet determination took hold, allowing the emergency services to reach the injured safely.”
Real-World Examples
“The two runways at New York's LaGuardia airport were left under water for several days, preventing it from reopening even after the winds had subsided.” Etymology
From Latin subsīdō (“I settle, subside”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.