subside

[ suhb-sahyd ]

verb (used without object)

, sub·sid·ed, sub·sid·ing.

1. to sink to a low or lower level.

   Synonyms: settle, descend, decline

   Antonyms: rise

2. to become quiet, less active, or less violent; abate:

   The laughter subsided.

   Synonyms: ebb, wane, lessen, diminish

   Antonyms: increase

3. to sink or fall to the bottom; settle; precipitate:

   to cause coffee grounds to subside.

subside

/ səbˈsaɪd /

verb

1. to become less loud, excited, violent, etc; abate
2. to sink or fall to a lower level
3. (of the surface of the earth, etc) to cave in; collapse
4. (of sediment, etc) to sink or descend to the bottom; settle

Derived Forms

• subˈsider, noun

Other Words From

• sub·sid·ence [s, uh, b-, sahyd, -ns, suhb, -si-dns], noun
• sub·sider noun
• nonsub·siding adjective
• unsub·sided adjective
• unsub·siding adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of subside¹

First recorded in 1640–50; from Latin subsīdere, from sub- sub- + sīdere “to sit down, settle” ( sit ¹ )

Word History and Origins

Origin of subside¹

C17: from Latin subsīdere to settle down, from sub- down + sīdere to settle

Example Sentences

There was even a statistical quirk from his final game as four England players scored their first senior goals as the Republic of Ireland subsided.

From BBC

However, even after El Niño subsided, global freshwater failed to rebound.

From Science Daily

The foundations of a promising team always seem to be subsiding under their own slip-ups.

From BBC

The mayor has urged people to stay inside, as the local population waits for the latest flood alert to subside.

From BBC

In the build-up to Tuesday’s US election, claims of voter fraud flooded social media - but as Donald Trump’s victory crystallised, the chatter largely subsided.

From BBC

Related Words

• abate
• descend
• diminish
• dwindle
• ease
• ease off
• ebb
• melt
• peter out
• recede
• slacken
• wane