SUBDUED Synonyms: 234 Similar and Opposite Words

subdued 1 of 2

adjective

səb-ˈdüd

Definition of subdued

as in muted

not excessively showy the wedding was a subdued affair, with only close family and friends attending

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

subdued

2 of 2

verb

past tense of subdue

as in defeated

to achieve a victory over subdued her fear of the dark by joining a club for spelunkers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in dominated

to bring under one's control by force of arms subdued the rebels and sent their leaders to the gallows

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in suppressed

to put a stop to (something) by the use of force labored through the night to subdue the river's rising waters by building a wall of sandbags around their property

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of subdued

Adjective

Despite its subdued colorway, the knee-length dress is covered entirely in beadwork. — Kelsey Stiegman, InStyle, 25 Aug. 2026 Unemployment continued to fall while inflation remained subdued. — Joao Gomes, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026

Verb

Prosecutors said bystanders subdued Arredondo-Garcia until authorities arrived. — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 21 Aug. 2026 Pearls are considered the most subdued of jewels, second only to the jet jewelry to which Victorian women were limited during their long periods of formal mourning. — Judith Martin, Mercury News, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for subdued

Recent Examples of Synonyms for subdued

Adjective

Overnight, the British market's reaction to Keir Starmer's resignation remained relatively muted.

— , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Featuring warm neutrals, earthy tones, muted pinks, clay hues, and airy blues, the palette includes shades inspired by nature—from sandy beaches to golden autumn leaves.

— Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of muted

Verb

Tysie Gallagher, Terri Harper and Caroline Dubois beat Americans Brandi Robinson, Miranda Reyes and Amelia Moore, respectively, earlier in the night, while Reina Tellez defeated Jessica Barry for the United States’ only victory.

— Amelie Claydon, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
Taylor pitched a career-high 2 2/3 scoreless relief innings and was credited with the win as the Sox defeated the Twins 7-4 in front of 28,140.

— LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of defeated

Verb

The crude market remains dominated by state producers, major energy companies, commodity merchants and large industrial consumers whose activity dwarfs that of individual traders.

— Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026
On a finite graph, crossing the critical probability means the network will become dominated by one large sea of fluid.

— Leila Sloman, Quanta Magazine, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of dominated

Verb

When women tried to march for their rights, they were violently suppressed, and by 2023, nearly all those in Afghan jails were political prisoners, and many were tortured.

— The Week US, TheWeek, 31 Aug. 2026
Hong Kong's independent bookstores, many of them tucked away from busy streets inside buildings, have long offered a refuge and a window to a freer world for some mainland Chinese readers seeking ideas suppressed at home.

— KANIS LEUNG, Christian Science Monitor, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of suppressed

Verb

Jon Batiste is one of the most interesting contemporary musicians out there, a musical prodigy who began performing at age 8 and has mastered multiple instruments.

— K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 28 Aug. 2026
Kids can try the sheet again and again until the facts are mastered.

— Nicole Harris, Parents, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of mastered

Verb

The ancient creature’s paddle-like abdominal limbs provide direct fossil evidence that insects conquered land through a prolonged semi-aquatic phase rather than an abrupt transition.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 31 Aug. 2026
That album conquered several rankings and missed out on ruling the Billboard 200 by only one rung.

— Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of conquered

Verb

Bradman was the top run scorer for Australia but had only one century in the series, suggesting his threat had been quelled.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Aug. 2026
Coach Regis Le Bris appears to have quelled that for this summer, citing a lack of other striking options beyond Brian Brobbey in a season where his side have European football to contend with on top of domestic matters.

— Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of quelled

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subdue

subdued

subduer

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“Subdued.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subdued. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of subdued

adjective

verb

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