- 1subdue somebody/something to bring someone or something under control, especially by using force synonym defeat Troops were called in to subdue the rebels.
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- 2subdue something to calm or control your feelings synonym suppress Julia had to subdue an urge to stroke his hair.
subdue
verbNAmE//səbˈdu//
(rather formal)Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they subdue he / she / it subdues
past simple subdued
-ing form subduing
Check pronunciation: subdue