What does subsiding mean?
“Subsiding” is the present participle of “subside” and describes a gradual lessening or settling. It is especially common in descriptions of weather, floods, physical discomfort, and conflict: a storm may be subsiding, floodwaters may be subsiding after a flood, or pain and tension may be subsiding. The word often suggests that something powerful or troublesome is losing its force but does not imply that it has disappeared completely. In its less common literal sense, it can describe water, sediment, or unstable ground settling or sinking. As a participle, it may function either as part of a verb construction, as in “the noise was subsiding,” or as an adjective, as in “the subsiding storm.” Its everyday implication is temporary and gradual, although the extent to which the original condition returns is not always specified.
To become less intense, active, or widespread, or to settle or sink gradually.
"The floodwaters were subsiding rapidly."
Usually intransitive and often used to describe a gradual, temporary decrease.
Describing something that is gradually diminishing in intensity or settling downward.
"They waited for the subsiding storm to pass."
This is a participial adjective formed from the verb “subside.”
A subsiding storm has not vanished; its force is gradually draining away.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does subsiding come from?
“Subsiding” comes from the English verb “subside,” which was borrowed from Latin “subsidere,” meaning “to sink” or “settle down.” The Latin word combines “sub-,” meaning “under,” with “sedere,” meaning “to sit.” In English, the verb initially referred to a sinking or settling movement and later developed its modern sense of becoming less intense.
Related word forms
How subsiding is actually used
The word is most natural for a gradual decrease in force, activity, discomfort, or conflict. It is commonly used with storms, rain, floodwaters, pain, anger, and tension.
Easily confused with subsiding
Subsiding means becoming less intense or settling downward, whereas siding can mean a surface material attached to a building or the act of supporting someone or something.