Synonyms of subside

subside

verb

səb-ˈsīd 

as in to diminish

to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually

as the noise of the siren subsided, I was able to fall back to sleep

Synonyms & Similar Words

• diminish
• decrease
• fall
• vanish
• shrink
• ease
• decline
• recede
• ebb
• wane
• dwindle
• abate
• evaporate
• relent
• taper
• moderate
• lessen
• weaken
• die (away or down or out)
• drop (off)
• drain (away)
• pall
• fall away
• taper off
• lower
• let up
• remit
• phase down
• collapse
• ratchet (down)
• de-escalate
• rachet (down)
• compress
• alleviate
• relax
• constrict
• fade (away)
• slacken
• condense
• slow (down)
• tail (off)
• melt (away)
• contract
• peter (out)
• give out
• sink
• fritter (away)
• deflate
• cave (in)
• flag

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• increase
• grow
• rise
• intensify
• build
• escalate
• expand
• accumulate
• swell
• soar
• emerge
• appear
• enlarge
• mount
• pick up
• wax
• show up
• burgeon
• snowball
• balloon
• lengthen
• mushroom
• elongate
• blow up
• distend

Synonym Chooser

How is the word subside distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of subside are abate, ebb, and wane. While all these words mean "to die down in force or intensity," subside implies the ceasing of turbulence or agitation.

the protests subsided after a few days

When can abate be used instead of subside?

While the synonyms abate and subside are close in meaning, abate stresses the idea of progressive diminishing.

the storm abated

When is ebb a more appropriate choice than subside?

The words ebb and subside are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ebb suggests the receding of something (such as the tide) that commonly comes and goes.

the ebbing of daylight

When is it sensible to use wane instead of subside?

Although the words wane and subside have much in common, wane suggests the fading or weakening of something good or impressive.

waning enthusiasm

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of subside

Fortunately, drinking more water helped, and my symptoms eventually subsided. —Jenna Anderson, Health, 20 Apr. 2026

Will the price of gold continue to rise, especially if geopolitical tensions subside? —Matt Richardson, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026

The be-ins, the marches, and the riots had mostly subsided, leaving a strange quiet in their place. —Andrew Durbin, Vulture, 13 Apr. 2026

In 2020, Bad Robot capitalized on another moment in time to strike a megabucks renewal deal with WBTV — but momentum has observably subsided within the once-utopian Bad Robot offices (complete with a private chef and movie stars working in residence). —Joe Otterson, Variety, 8 Apr. 2026