Definitions

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • adjective Conquered; overpowered; crushed; submissive; mild.
  • adjective Not glaring in color; soft in tone.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adjective Conquered; overpowered; crushed; submissive; mild.
  • adjective Not glaring in color; soft and light in tone.
  • verb Simple past tense and past participle of subdue.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adjective quieted and brought under control
  • adjective restrained in style or quality
  • adjective lacking in light; not bright or harsh
  • adjective in a softened tone
  • adjective not brilliant or glaring

Etymologies

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Examples

  • Susan and I turned to see Muller poking his head through the beads, his expression subdued.

    The Commander Patrick A. Davis 2002

  • Susan and I turned to see Muller poking his head through the beads, his expression subdued.

    The Commander Patrick A. Davis 2002

  • Through rimless glasses, he looked out at the uniformed crowd and "Sons of Aloha" choir and spoke in subdued but clear sentences.

    In history of Hawaiian leaders, Daniel Inouye stands alone Jason Horowitz 2010

  • Chris Williamson, chief economist at Markit, said: Business activity rose at a faster rate than August, but the survey provided plenty of signs to suggest that this does not represent the start of a renewed upturn, and instead growth is set to remain subdued in the coming months.

    Fall in service sector orders fuels fear of double-dip recession Phillip Inman 2010

  • It said that it still expects "inflation will remain subdued for some time" and said that it expects rates to remain near zero percent "for an extended period."

    Fed sees a bottom 2009

  • In WELLINGTON, New Zealand shares were drifting higher in subdued activity.

    Sydney Hits 5-Month High Shri Navaratnam 2010

  • Below: A study in subdued femininity -- a tailored oxford cloth shirtwaist dress with a surprise: a hand crocheted butterfly lace collar.

    Modest Feminine Dress From the Pages of 1990 Victoria Magazine 2009

  • The 2010 second-half mortgage-lending figures will likely remain subdued compared with the unexpected recovery in the latter half of 2009, the Council of Mortgage Lenders reported.

    U.K. Public-Sector Borrowing Rises Steeply Laurence Norman 2010

  • Below: A study in subdued femininity -- a tailored oxford cloth shirtwaist dress with a surprise: a hand crocheted butterfly lace collar.

    Archive 2009-06-01 2009

  • Women should tone down makeup and go easy on the perfume; men are told to dress in subdued shades, and own at least three suits — for work, for summer and for weekends.

    Ukraine's Style Gets a Makeover James Marson 2010

Comments

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  • I'm unusually subdued tonight. Please explain in 30 words or less. Your time starts now.

    December 21, 2007

  • Please, bilby... Is it a TOEFL essay?

    June 11, 2008

  • Better TOEFL than TOEJAMFUL.

    June 11, 2008

  • Prolagus, how did you know that I'm working on TOEFL books? Oh, wait--you're taking the TOEFL soon. :-)

    June 12, 2008

  • Better TOEFL than Teufel, too.

    June 12, 2008

  • subdued = mild

    September 4, 2013