- To conquer and subjugate; vanquish. See synonyms at defeat.
- To quiet or bring under control by physical force or persuasion; make tractable.
- To make less intense or prominent; tone down: subdued my excitement about the upcoming holiday.
- To bring (land) under cultivation: Farmers subdued the arid lands of Australia.
[Middle English subduen, alteration (influenced by Latin subdere, to subject) of Old French suduire, to seduce, from Latin subdūcere, to withdraw (probably influenced by Latin sēdūcere, to seduce) : sub-, away; see sub– + dūcere, to lead.]
subduable sub·du'a·ble adj.subduer sub·du'er n.






