subside

verb

sub·​side səb-ˈsīd 
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  ˈsəb-sə-dən(t)s 
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.
Ama Brings Aura As Ama took the stage, the rain subsided; however, the feelings stayed. — Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 26 Aug. 2026 Two of them coincide with areas where satellite radar shows that the ground is actively subsiding. — Nolan Roth, Scientific American, 23 Aug. 2026 When the storm subsides, the Pogues use Kiara’s coordinates and Pope’s calculations to return to the water and search for the gold. — Kelly Allen, PEOPLE, 21 Aug. 2026 After the smoke subsided, residents reported feeling effects from the stench of rotting meat and food from the warehouse interior, where it had been stored frozen on tall racks that were hundreds of feet across. — Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 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

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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 28 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

subside

verb
sub·​side səb-ˈsīd 
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 
ˈsəb-səd-ən(t)s
noun

Medical Definition

subside

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