# subside

**Pronunciation:** /səbˈsaɪd/ · sub-SIDE

**CEFR level:** B2

**Part of speech:** verb

## Meaning 1: General

To become less intense, violent, or severe; to decrease in amount or degree.

## Examples

- The storm began to subside after a few hours.
- His anger gradually subsided as he calmed down.
- The pain in her leg started to subside after taking the medication.

## Meaning 2: Physical Settling

To sink to a lower level; to settle down.

## Examples

- The foundations of the old house began to subside.
- The ground subsided after the underground tunnels collapsed.
- The water level in the lake subsided after the dry season.

## Synonyms

- lessen — To become or make less.
- decrease — To become smaller or fewer in size, amount, or degree.
- diminish — To make or become smaller, weaker, or less important.
- abate — To become less intense or widespread, often used for storms or strong feelings.

## Antonyms

- increase — To become or make greater in size, amount, or degree.
- intensify — To make or become more intense.
- escalate — To become or make something more serious or intense, often used for conflicts or problems.

## Common patterns

- subside into — To gradually become less active or intense, eventually reaching a state of rest or inactivity. — After the argument, they both subsided into silence.
- subside after — To decrease in intensity or become less severe following a specific event or period. — The protests began to subside after the government made concessions.

## Collocations

- subside into — He finally subsided into a deep sleep.
- gradually subside — The crowd's excitement gradually subsided.
- begin to subside — The rain began to subside, and the sun peeked through the clouds.

Canonical URL: https://anaversity.com/dictionary/english/subside

[Browse the English learner dictionary](https://anaversity.com/dictionary/english)