ปราบ
subdue
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 subdue、suppress、put down、conquer
ปราบ means to use force, authority, or active measures to bring something harmful or resistant under control. It is used for enemies, rebellions, crime, drugs, pests, and similar targets that need to be subdued or eliminated.
subdue、suppress、put down、conquer
This sense means to subdue or defeat a resisting person or group by force, authority, or organized action.
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ปราบศัตรู pràap sàttruu subdue an enemy ปราบศัตรู details
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ตำรวจปราบโจรได้สำเร็จ tamrùat pràap coon dâay sǎmrèt The police successfully subdued the robbers. ตำรวจปราบโจรได้สำเร็จ details
Learning notes
Explanation
The core idea of ปราบ is bringing a harmful or resisting force under control. It is stronger than simply “win” or “solve” and is used when the target is treated as an enemy, threat, crime, drug problem, corruption, pest, or similar harmful thing. It is common in news, politics, police work, military contexts, and public campaigns. Some dictionaries also list an older/basic sense meaning “to level or flatten,” but it is not a central everyday sense for learners today.
Usage
You will see ปราบ when police crack down on crime or drugs, a government suppresses a rebellion, the military subdues an enemy, or farmers control pests and weeds. It can appear in everyday speech, but it has a fairly strong tone.
Caution
When used about people, ปราบ can sound like forcibly crushing or subduing them. It is not natural for ordinary advice, correction, or guidance toward friends, coworkers, or children. For mild problems, แก้ “fix/solve” or ลด “reduce” is often more appropriate.
Differences from similar words
1 subdue synonyms
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กำราบ suggests making someone submit or behave through intimidation or force. ปราบ is broader and can describe subduing enemies, rebellions, criminals, and other serious targets.