What does “subside” mean?
- 1
verbto become less strong, loud or violent
We waited in the car until the storm subsided.
- 2
verb(of water) to go back down to a normal level; (of land or a building) to sink lower
The floodwaters finally subsided after three days.
Subside at a glance
- Part of speech
- verb
- CEFR level
- C1 (advanced)
- Pronunciation
- /səbˈsaɪd/ · sub-SIDE
How to use “subside” correctly
Used for pain, anger, noise, storms and floods. It has no object: say “the pain subsided”, not “the medicine subsided the pain”.
Common phrases with “subside”
- the pain subsided
- the storm subsided
- fears subside
Synonyms, opposites and related words
Synonyms (similar meaning)
- abate
- ease
- die down
Antonyms (opposite meaning)
- intensify
Word family
- subsidence
“subside” is on these word lists
Learn these words next
- ebb verbC2(of the tide) to move away from the land
- ripple nounC1a small wave on the surface of water
- bolt verbC1to suddenly run away very fast, usually from fear
- compel verbC1to force someone to do something, or make it necessary
- elude verbC1to escape from someone who is chasing you, often by being clever
- engage verbC1to take part in an activity, used with “in”
- exert verbC1to use power, influence or pressure to affect someone or something
- flourish verbC1to grow or develop well and successfully