subside

[suhb-sahyd]

verb (used without object)

subsided, subsiding 

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

Other Word Forms

• subsidence noun
• subsider noun
• nonsubsiding adjective
• unsubsided adjective
• unsubsiding 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

The concern, though, is the manner in which he and his fellow batters subsided.

From BBC

She spent seven weeks camped at the base of K2 in Pakistan, waiting for high winds to subside.

From BBC

Wang said gerrymandering reached a high point more than a decade ago, but had been subsiding due to court battles and state legislatures establishing independent commissions to draw district lines.

From Los Angeles Times

After the initial shock had subsided, there was only ever going to be one person the number eight was going to call first - her father, the former Samoa international Isaac Feaunati.

From BBC

In another recent study, Stanford University researchers also found that the problem has been worsening in recent years, and that large portions of the valley have subsided at a record pace since 2006.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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