Meaning & Definition of Subdue in English
English⟶
Subdue
/səbdu/
verb
1. Put down by force or intimidation
- "The government quashes any attempt of an uprising"
- "China keeps down her dissidents very efficiently"
- "The rich landowners subjugated the peasants working the land"
synonym:
- repress,
- quash,
- keep down,
- subdue,
- subjugate,
- reduce
2. To put down by force or authority
- "Suppress a nascent uprising"
- "Stamp down on littering"
- "Conquer one's desires"
synonym:
- suppress,
- stamp down,
- inhibit,
- subdue,
- conquer,
- curb
3. Hold within limits and control
- "Subdue one's appetites"
- "Mortify the flesh"
synonym:
- mortify,
- subdue,
- crucify
4. Get on top of
- Deal with successfully
- "He overcame his shyness"
synonym:
- overcome,
- get over,
- subdue,
- surmount,
- master
5. Make subordinate, dependent, or subservient
- "Our wishes have to be subordinated to that of our ruler"
synonym:
- subordinate,
- subdue
6. Correct by punishment or discipline
synonym:
- tame,
- chasten,
- subdue
Examples of using
I could not subdue the desire to laugh.