ISEE/SSAT Vocabulary Builder›Words›S›subdue
ISEE/SSATmedium
subdue
to bring under control by force or persuasion
Synonyms
- overpower
- suppress
- quell
Antonyms
- unleash
- incite
subdue in a sentence
Firefighters worked for hours to subdue the flames spreading through the warehouse.
Police managed to subdue the escaped animal before it wandered onto the busy highway.
Where it comes from
From Latin subducere 'to lead away, bring under'
Memory hook
SUB-DUE — you bring something below so it becomes due to obey.
Word parts
- sub — under
subdue: sub- (from under) + duc (lead)