Library / English Dictionary

SUBDUE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Correct by punishment or discipline

Synonyms:

chasten; subdue; tame

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "subdue" is one way to...):

alter; change; modify (cause to change; make different; cause a transformation)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody

Sense 2

Meaning:

Bring under control by force or authority

Example:

conquer one's desires

Synonyms:

conquer; stamp down; subdue; suppress

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "subdue" is one way to...):

check; contain; control; curb; hold; hold in; moderate (lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or keep within limits)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "subdue"):

choke back; choke down; choke off (suppress)

hush; hush up; quieten; shut up; silence; still (cause to be quiet or not talk)

burke (get rid of, silence, or suppress)

silence (keep from expression, for example by threats or pressure)

quell; quench; squelch (suppress or crush completely)

quench (electronics: suppress (sparking) when the current is cut off in an inductive circuit, or suppress (an oscillation or discharge) in a component or device)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something

Derivation:

subduer (someone who overcomes and establishes ascendancy and control by force or persuasion)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Make subordinate, dependent, or subservient

Example:

Our wishes have to be subordinated to that of our ruler

Synonyms:

subdue; subordinate

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "subdue" is one way to...):

lour; lower (set lower)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something

Sense 4

Meaning:

Get on top of; deal with successfully

Example:

He overcame his shyness

Synonyms:

get over; master; overcome; subdue; surmount

Classified under:

Verbs of fighting, athletic activities

Hypernyms (to "subdue" is one way to...):

beat; beat out; crush; shell; trounce; vanquish (come out better in a competition, race, or conflict)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "subdue"):

bulldog (throw a steer by seizing the horns and twisting the neck, as in a rodeo)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Sense 5

Meaning:

Hold within limits and control

Example:

mortify the flesh

Synonyms:

crucify; mortify; subdue

Classified under:

Verbs of feeling

Hypernyms (to "subdue" is one way to...):

check; contain; control; curb; hold; hold in; moderate (lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or keep within limits)

"Subdue" entails doing...:

abstain; desist; refrain (choose not to consume)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "subdue"):

mortify (practice self-denial of one's body and appetites)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody

Sense 6

Meaning:

Put down by force or intimidation

Example:

The rich landowners subjugated the peasants working the land

Synonyms:

keep down; quash; reduce; repress; subdue; subjugate

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Hypernyms (to "subdue" is one way to...):

crush; oppress; suppress (come down on or keep down by unjust use of one's authority)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody

Derivation:

subduer (someone who overcomes and establishes ascendancy and control by force or persuasion)

Credits

 Context examples: 

They elevated me from all littleness of feeling, and although they did not remove my grief, they subdued and tranquillised it.

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

Her flattery had already subdued the pride of Lady Middleton, and made an entry into the close heart of Mrs. John Dashwood; and these were effects that laid open the probability of greater.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

Barclay’s remarks were subdued and abrupt, so that none of them were audible to the listeners.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Catherine was distressed, but not subdued.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

The Prime Minister’s manner was subdued, but I could see by the gleam of his eyes and the twitchings of his bony hands that he shared the excitement of his young colleague.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

We humans are useful collaborators to honeyguides because of our ability to subdue stinging bees with smoke and chop open their nest, providing wax for the honeyguide and honey for ourselves.

(How humans and wild Honeyguide birds call each other to help, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

Then her husband turned to her wan-eyed and with a greenish pallor which subdued the snowy whiteness of his hair, and asked:—And must I, too, make such a promise, oh, my wife?

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

But especially he loved to run in the dim twilight of the summer midnights, listening to the subdued and sleepy murmurs of the forest, reading signs and sounds as man may read a book, and seeking for the mysterious something that called—called, waking or sleeping, at all times, for him to come.

(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)

Oh, yes, he replied, I will soon subdue the giants, and do not require the help of the hundred horsemen to do it; he who can hit seven with one blow has no need to be afraid of two.

(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)

'You could almost narrate the body changes and narrate the dream. She sees a crab and her color starts to change a little bit, then she turns all dark, octopuses will do that when they leave the bottom.' 'This is a camouflage, like she's just subdued a crab and she's just going to sit there and eat it, and she doesn't want anyone to notice her.' 'It's a very unusual behavior to see the color come and go on her mantle like that, just to be able to see all the different color patterns flashing one after the other, you don't normally see that when an animal's sleeping.'

(Octopuses can dream, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)