abate

[ uh-beyt ]

/ əˈbeɪt /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: abate / abated / abating on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), a·bat·ed, a·bat·ing.

to reduce in amount, degree, intensity, etc.; lessen; diminish: to abate a tax;to abate one's enthusiasm.

Law.

to put an end to or suppress (a nuisance).
to suspend or extinguish (an action).
to annul (a writ).

to deduct or subtract: to abate part of the cost.

to omit: to abate all mention of names.

to remove, as in stone carving, or hammer down, as in metalwork, (a portion of a surface) in order to produce a figure or pattern in low relief.

verb (used without object), a·bat·ed, a·bat·ing.

to diminish in intensity, violence, amount, etc.: The storm has abated.The pain in his shoulder finally abated.

Law. to end; become null and void.

OTHER WORDS FOR abate

1 decrease, weaken.

6 subside.

See synonyms for abate on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR abate

1, 6 increase, intensify.

See antonyms for abate on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of abate

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Middle French abatre “to beat down,” equivalent to a- a-⁵ + batre, from Late Latin batere for Latin battuere “to beat”; a- perhaps also understood as a-³

OTHER WORDS FROM abate

a·bat·a·ble, adjectivea·bat·er; Law. a·ba·tor, nounun·a·bat·a·ble, adjectiveun·a·bat·ing, adjective

un·a·bat·ing·ly, adverb

Words nearby abate

abased, abasement, abash, abashed, abasia, abate, abated, abatement, abatis, abat-jour, abator

How to use abate in a sentence

Some reforms, such as government reimbursement of telehealth consultations, may be reversed when the crisis abates.
Smart stimulus: Cash as code|Claire Beatty|September 9, 2020|MIT Technology Review
Targeted adjustments, elbows, needles, and electrotherapy abated the pain for a day or two at most.
My Chronic Pain Was No Match for This Mat|Aleta Burchyski|September 4, 2020|Outside Online
The political crisis in Ethiopia is not showing signs of abating.
Ethiopia’s escalating regional political crisis has roots in its federal system|Mulugeta G Berhe|September 3, 2020|Quartz
Producers say the company’s initial arrogance has abated as its strategy appears to be shifting from mobile-only unicorn to table-stakes streamer.
‘They got the memo’: Quibi changes tone, tact after failed debut|Tim Peterson|August 12, 2020|Digiday

That interest eventually abated as buyers stockpiled enough programming to fill their pipelines for a time.
TV networks begin to signal willingness to prioritize streaming over linear|Tim Peterson|July 29, 2020|Digiday
Some express a feeling of hopelessness and that their intractable sadness will never abate.
'Genie, You're Free': Suicide Is Not Liberation|Russell Saunders|August 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
That modern science has repeatedly affirmed their findings does little to abate the continuing doubt.
Shanin Specter on His 50 Years With the Single Bullet Theory|Shanin Specter|November 8, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Perhaps, under different circumstances, with other kinds of modern Jewish women, their anger might start to abate.
Talking to Women of the Wall's Ultra-Orthodox Teenage Protesters|Elisheva Goldberg|November 6, 2013|DAILY BEAST
To abate the overload, The Daily Beast created its first list of the best destinations on the Web.
Beast Best Awards: The Daily Beast Picks the Best of the Web||June 17, 2013|DAILY BEAST
He noted that the worst of the storm had passed, and the accompanying record surge would abate with the tide.
New York City’s Sandy Disaster: A Meteorological 9/11?|Michael Daly|October 30, 2012|DAILY BEAST
It is therefore our duty, sir, to protect our principal, and we cannot consent to abate one jot or tittle of our rights.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills
An appeal by a member of a subordinate lodge from a vote of expulsion does not abate by his death while the appeal is pending.
Putnam's Handy Law Book for the Layman|Albert Sidney Bolles
He had a vanity easily lacerated, and he was now too savage to abate the ferocity of his forensic attack.
You Never Know Your Luck, Complete|Gilbert Parker
The Abate Ziak, both by precept and example, taught me to support my sufferings with calmness and resignation.
My Ten Years' Imprisonment|Silvio Pellico
We were much hurt, but we obtained as his successor the Abate Ziak, another learned and worthy divine.
My Ten Years' Imprisonment|Silvio Pellico

British Dictionary definitions for abate

abate

/ (əˈbeɪt) /

verb

to make or become less in amount, intensity, degree, etcthe storm has abated

(tr) law

to remove, suppress, or terminate (a nuisance)
to suspend or extinguish (a claim or action)
to annul (a writ)

(intr) law (of a writ, legal action, etc) to become null and void

(tr) to subtract or deduct, as part of a price

Word Origin for abate

C14: from Old French abatre to beat down, fell

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

abate

OTHER WORDS FOR abate

OPPOSITES FOR abate

Origin of abate

OTHER WORDS FROM abate

Words nearby abate

Words related to abate

How to use abate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for abate

Word Origin for abate