subdued

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "subdued" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation or a person who is quiet, subdued, or not very expressive. For example, "The mood in the room was subdued as the bad news was shared."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Then Snoop himself emerges in the guise of his recent dancehall reggae persona Snoop Lion for a laid-back rendition of Here Comes The King that suggests he's somewhat subdued by something.

The Guardian - Music

Detectives are baffled how five women, some of whom would certainly fight back, seemed to be so easily subdued before they were strangled.

The Guardian

Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 5.26pm BST17:26 Eid in Aleppo Eid in Aleppo – for those who are able to celebrate it at all – is a very subdued affair this year.

The Guardian

Mike Hussey, captain for the day, later glided past his half-century in more subdued but no less commanding style, finishing the day on 75.

The Guardian - Sport

The bars and cafes are emptier than usual and, if they do go out, people seem to congregate in small, subdued groups.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Public spending is also scheduled to be subdued.

The Guardian

What is important now is that Charlie Hebdo has not allowed itself to be subdued by an act far more gratuitous and obscene than even the most scurrilous satirist could possibly imagine.

The Guardian - Opinion

Webb looked subdued, giving a speech that appeared to send one man to sleep.

The Guardian

Having won the toss, Ireland opted to field first but were initially subdued by the UAE's opening pair of Amjad Ali and Faizan Asif before the two were involved in a mix-up in the fifth over and the latter was run out by Tim Murtagh.

The Guardian - Sport

But Spirent Communications slumped 21% to 77.1p after the telecoms testing group said it expected only a small rise in third quarter revenues as business in the US and China remained subdued.

The Guardian - Business

In fact, neither: Marr was sitting up in bed with his laptop, subdued, serious and slightly remote.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "subdued" to describe an atmosphere, color, or emotional state that is intentionally softened or lessened in intensity. It effectively conveys a sense of quietness, control, or diminished energy.

Common error

Avoid using "subdued" as a direct synonym for "depressed". While both can describe a lowered emotional state, "subdued" often implies a temporary or situational quietness, whereas "depressed" suggests a more profound and persistent condition.

Linguistic Context

The word "subdued" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe a state of reduced intensity, activity, or emotion. Ludwig provides examples like "a subdued ceremony" or "subdued groups" which illustrate this adjectival use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "subdued" is a versatile adjective used to describe something lessened in intensity, force, or liveliness. According to Ludwig, it functions primarily to convey calmness, control, or diminished energy across various contexts, especially in news, business, and scientific writing. While grammatically correct and very common, avoid confusing it with stronger terms like "depressed", which suggest a more severe emotional state. Employ "subdued" to effectively describe environments, colors, behaviors, or emotional states that lack vibrancy, ensuring clarity and precision in your writing. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriate and frequent use in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

restrained

Focuses on the act of keeping something under control or within limits, similar to suppressing energy or emotion.

muted

Emphasizes a reduction in intensity or volume, often referring to color or sound but applicable to emotions.

repressed

Highlights the act of forcibly suppressing feelings or desires, indicating a strong internal control.

controlled

Indicates a state of being managed or directed, lessening spontaneity or intensity.

low-key

Describes something understated and relaxed, avoiding high energy or prominence.

softened

Implies a reduction in harshness or intensity, making something gentler or milder.

toned down

Focuses on reducing the intensity or extravagance of something, making it more moderate.

chastened

Suggests a state of being humbled or corrected, often after a mistake or setback.

hushed

Emphasizes quietness or stillness, indicating a reduction in noise or activity.

understated

Highlights a subtle and restrained quality, avoiding ostentation or obviousness.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "subdued" in a sentence?

Use "subdued" to describe something that has been reduced in intensity, force, or liveliness. For example, "The lighting in the restaurant was "soft" and subdued", or "After the argument, he was unusually subdued".

What are some alternatives to using "subdued" to describe a person's mood?

Depending on the context, you could use terms like "quiet", "restrained", "reserved", or "somber" to describe a subdued mood.

Is it correct to use "subdued" to describe a color?

Yes, "subdued" can effectively describe a color that is "muted", soft, or lacking in vibrancy. For example, "The walls were painted in a subdued shade of blue".

What is the difference between "subdued" and "suppressed"?

"Subdued" implies a reduction in intensity or liveliness, while "suppressed" suggests an active effort to restrain or conceal something. For example, someone might have a subdued reaction due to sadness, but they suppressed their anger to maintain composure.