subside

verb

sub·​side səb-ˈsīd How to pronounce subside (audio)
subsided; subsiding
Synonyms of subside

intransitive verb

1
: to sink or fall to the bottom : settle
2
: to tend downward : descend
especially : to flatten out so as to form a depression
3
: to let oneself settle down : sink
subsided into a chair
4
: to become quiet or less
as the fever subsides
my anger subsided
subsidence
səb-ˈsī-dᵊn(t)s How to pronounce subside (audio) ˈsəb-sə-dən(t)s How to pronounce subside (audio)
noun

Synonyms of subside

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abate, subside, wane, ebb mean to die down in force or intensity.

abate stresses the idea of progressive diminishing.

the storm abated

subside implies the ceasing of turbulence or agitation.

the protests subsided after a few days

wane suggests the fading or weakening of something good or impressive.

waning enthusiasm

ebb suggests the receding of something (such as the tide) that commonly comes and goes.

the ebbing of daylight

Examples of subside in a Sentence

The pain will subside in a couple of hours. After his anger had subsided, he was able to look at things rationally. We'll have to wait until the wind subsides. The road will remain closed until the water subsides.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
And with this no longer just being a student movement, as trade unions and Yellow Vests join in, voicing grievances over the cost of living and calling on Macron to go, the anger is unlikely to subside anytime soon. — Saskya Vandoorne, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2026 Tides are expected to approach 8 feet Thursday morning, then gradually subside into the weekend. — Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026 The fright of theme drought had subsided for now, but as with any horror villain, there’s always the danger of a sequel. — Sam Corbin, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2026 That is generally subsided by their employers, who cover a large portion of the monthly premium payments workers pay. — Ian Thomas,colleen McKown, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for subside

Word History

Etymology

Latin subsidere, from sub- + sidere to sit down, sink; akin to Latin sedēre to sit — more at sit

First Known Use

1607, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of subside was in 1607

Rhymes for subside

See All Rhymes for subside

Browse Nearby Words

subshrubby
subside
subsidence
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Cite this Entry

“Subside.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subside. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

subside

verb
sub·​side səb-ˈsīd How to pronounce subside (audio)
subsided; subsiding
1
: to sink or fall to the bottom : settle
2
: to become quiet or less : abate
as the fever subsides
my anger subsided
subsidence
səb-ˈsīd-ᵊn(t)s How to pronounce subside (audio)
ˈsəb-səd-ən(t)s
noun

Medical Definition

subside

intransitive verb
sub·​side səb-ˈsīd How to pronounce subside (audio)
subsided; subsiding
: to lessen in severity : become diminished
the fever subsided
subsidence
səb-ˈsīd-ᵊn(t)s How to pronounce subside (audio) ˈsəb-səd-ən(t)s How to pronounce subside (audio)
noun
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