What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
subdue
Example
The police were able to subdue the suspect without any violence. [subdue: verb]
Example
She tried to subdue her anger by taking deep breaths. [subdue: verb]
defeat
Example
The team was able to defeat their rivals in the championship game. [defeat: verb]
Example
She refused to let her illness defeat her and continued to fight. [defeat: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Defeat is more commonly used than subdue in everyday language. Defeat is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while subdue is less common and refers to a specific type of action.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between subdue and defeat?
Subdue is typically associated with a more formal tone, while defeat is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
