# subdue

> English word · Verb · IPA /səbˈdu/ · frequency rank #26,980

## Definitions
1. To overcome, quieten, or bring under control.
2. To bring (a country) under control by force.

## Etymology
From Middle English subdewen, subduen, sodewen, from Old French souduire, from Latin subdūcō (“to draw away”), perhaps influenced by subdō (“to subdue, subject”).

## Easily confused with
- **suede** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/subdue-vs-suede)
- **subtle** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/subdue-vs-subtle)
- **sundae** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/subdue-vs-sundae)
- **subdued** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/subdue-vs-subdued)

## Common misspellings (8)
`sbudue`, `ssubdue`, `subbdue`, `subddue`, `subdeu`, `subude`, `sudbue`, `usbdue`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/subdue