subside

Group 24Difficulty 1/3

Definition

(verb)
To become less intense, violent, or severe
GRE

Example in Context

The floodwaters took weeks to subside, leaving behind a landscape of devastation that would take years to fully repair.

Synonyms

die downeaselet up

Etymology

To sit below or lessen in intensity.

  • sub- (Latin) — below
  • sidere (Latin) — to sit

Memory Aid

⬇️Sounds like “sub-side

A grumpy cat sliding down the SUB-SIDE of a couch, finally calming down as its anger SUBSIDES!

Visual Association

🌊A stormy sea gradually calming down as waves SUBSIDE, revealing a serene and tranquil horizon.

Semantic Clusters

Synonym Groups

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “subside” mean on the GRE?

subside (verb) means “To become less intense, violent, or severe”. The floodwaters took weeks to subside, leaving behind a landscape of devastation that would take years to fully repair.

How to remember “subside” for the GRE?

Mnemonic: “subside” sounds like “sub-side”. A grumpy cat sliding down the SUB-SIDE of a couch, finally calming down as its anger SUBSIDES!

What are synonyms for “subside”?

Common synonyms: die down, ease, let up.