subside

/səb'said/

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Sure! Let's break down the word "subside" in a way that's easy to understand.

Definition:

Subside (verb) means to become less intense, to sink down, or to decrease in amount or level.

Usage Instructions:

• Action: The word is used when something that was once strong or high becomes weaker or lower.
• Context: You can use "subside" in both physical and emotional contexts.

Examples:

1. Physical Context:

   • "After the storm, the water began to subside, and the roads were clear again."
   • In this sentence, it means the water level went down.

2. Emotional Context:

   • "After a few minutes, her anger began to subside."
   • Here, it means her feelings of anger became less strong.

Advanced Usage:

• You might find "subside" used in more complex contexts, such as in scientific discussions (e.g., "The pressure in the chamber subsided as the gas was released") or in literature (e.g., "His worries subsided as he found solutions to his problems").

Word Variants:

• Subsidy (noun): A form of financial aid given by the government to help individuals or businesses.
• Subsidence (noun): The process of sinking or settling, often used in geology or construction.

Different Meanings:

While "subside" primarily means to sink down or decrease, it can also refer to situations where something calms down, like feelings of stress or physical pain.

Synonyms:

• Decrease
• Diminish
• Lessen
• Abate
• Wear off

Idioms:

There aren’t specific idioms that use "subside," but you might find phrases like "let the dust settle," which means to wait for a situation to become clear after a disturbance. This can relate to the idea of feelings or situations subsiding.

Phrasal Verbs:

There aren’t direct phrasal verbs that incorporate "subside," but you could use "calm down," which carries a similar meaning when talking about emotions.

Summary:

"Subside" is a versatile verb that indicates a decrease in intensity or level, whether it is about physical objects (like water) or emotions (like anger).

Academic

Verb

1. descend into or as if into some soft substance or place
   • He sank into bed
   • She subsided into the chair
2. sink down or precipitate
   • the mud subsides when the waters become calm
3. sink to a lower level or form a depression
   • the valleys subside
4. wear off or die down
   • The pain subsided

Synonyms

• sink
• settle
• lessen