subdue

/səbˈdjuː/ (bre, ipa) · [səbdˈu] /səbˈduː/ (ame, ipa) · [səbdˈu] /səb-ˈdü How to pronounce subdue (audio) -ˈdyü/ (ame, mw)

subdue — verb

  • subduepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • subdueshe / she / it
  • subduedpast simple
  • subduing-ing form

1. to make something less strong, active, or difficult to control, or to bring a fe

1.動詞及物C1
釋義

to make something less strong, active, or difficult to control, or to bring a feeling under control before it grows worse

例句

The medicine quickly subdued the pain in her shoulder after practice.

subdue + pain / symptom

After the alarm, Reema tried to subdue her rising panic with slow breaths.

subdue + emotion

同義詞
  • calm

    Best for reducing fear, anger, or excitement; less natural for fires or prices

  • curb

    Often used for limiting growth or bad behaviour rather than quieting emotion

  • ease

    Gentler and especially common for pain or worry

  • suppress

    More forceful and often suggests pushing something down completely

反義詞
  • intensify

    Become stronger instead of weaker

  • stir up

    Cause an emotion or problem to become more active

文法句型

subdue + feeling / pain / fire / problem

subdue + something that is growing or becoming stronger

用法筆記

Common objects include pain, fear, flames, prices, and other forces that need to be reduced or brought back under control. If the object is a person, crowd, or armed group controlled by force, use sense 2 instead.

常見錯誤

❌I subdued after hearing the bad news.
✅I calmed down after hearing the bad news.
💡'subdue' usually takes the feeling or problem as its object rather than being used intransitively.
❌The spray subdued against the fire in minutes.
✅The spray subdued the fire in minutes.
💡'subdue' takes a direct object; do not add 'against'.

2. to defeat people who are resisting and force them to obey, especially in a fight

2.動詞及物C1
釋義

to defeat people who are resisting and force them to obey, especially in a fight or conflict

例句

Two security guards subdued the man before he reached the pilot's door.

subdue + attacker / suspect

The army struggled to subdue the rebels in the mountain villages.

subdue + rebels / resistance

同義詞
  • overpower

    Focuses on proving stronger in a direct physical struggle

  • quell

    Often used for stopping unrest, violence, or disorder before it spreads

  • restrain

    Focuses on physically holding someone back, often temporarily

  • crush

    Stronger and harsher, often suggesting complete destruction of resistance

反義詞
  • release

    Stop holding someone under control

  • submit to

    Allow another person or side to control you instead

文法句型

subdue + person / attacker / suspect

subdue + crowd / rebels / group

用法筆記

This sense usually appears in reports about fights, arrests, battles, or political control. It suggests force or restraint strong enough to break resistance, not gentle persuasion or simple calming.

常見錯誤

❌The teacher subdued the class by speaking gently.
✅The teacher calmed the class by speaking gently.
💡'subdue' suggests force or strong restraint, not quiet persuasion.
❌The police subdued with the suspect outside the club.
✅The police subdued the suspect outside the club.
💡'subdue' takes the person or group directly as its object.