1. Quiet, restrained, or depressed
   "He seemed subdued after hearing the bad news"
    
2. In a softened tone
   "a subdued whisper";
   - hushed, muted, quiet
    
3. Restrained in style or quality
   "a little masterpiece of subdued eloquence";
   - low-key, low-keyed
    
4. Quieted and brought under control
   "children were subdued and silent"
    
5. Not brilliant or glaring
   "subdued lighting";
   - soft
    
6. Lacking in light; not bright or harsh
   "subdued lights and soft music";
   - dim

1. Bring under control by force or authority
   "subdue a nascent uprising";
   - suppress, stamp down, conquer
    
2. Put down by force or intimidation
   "The army subdued the rebellion";
   - repress, quash, keep down, subjugate, reduce
    
3. Hold within limits and control
   "subdue one's appetites";
   - mortify, crucify
    
4. Make subordinate, dependent, or subservient
   "Our wishes have to be subdued to that of our ruler";
   - subordinate
    
5. Get on top of; deal with successfully
   "He subdued his shyness";
   - overcome, get over, surmount, master
    
6. Correct by punishment or discipline
   "The harsh training regimen subdued even the most rebellious recruits";
   - tame, chasten

See also: dark, dull, restrained, soft, tame

Type of: alter, beat, beat out, change, check, contain, control, crush, curb, hold, hold in, lower, moderate, modify, oppress, shell [US], suppress, trounce, vanquish

Encyclopedia: Subdued