YOUR VOCABULARY, ONE WORD AT A TIME

subdue

Verb

IPA /səbˈdjuː/

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Meaning in plain English

To bring a strong feeling under control.

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Pronunciation

subdue/səbˈdjuː/

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Irritation grows
Pause and regain control
The feeling becomes calmer

To subdue irritation is to bring the strong feeling under control.

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She took a slow breath to subdue her excitement before opening the gift.
He struggled to subdue his irritation during the repeated interruptions.

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She took a slow breath to ________ her excitement before opening the gift.

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subdue — To bring a strong feeling under control.

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To bring a strong feeling under control.

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Word origin

From Anglo-Norman French suduire, ultimately from Latin subducere, meaning to draw from below.

Did you know?

Subdue can also mean bringing people or resistance under control; here it concerns feelings.

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