Advertisement

View synonyms for abate

abate

[ uh-beyt ]

verb (used with object)

, a·bat·ed, a·bat·ing.
  1. to reduce in amount, degree, intensity, etc.; lessen; diminish: to abate one's enthusiasm.

    to abate a tax;

    to abate one's enthusiasm.

    Synonyms: weaken, decrease

    Antonyms: intensify, increase

  2. Law.
    1. to put an end to or suppress (a nuisance).
    2. to suspend or extinguish (an action).
    3. to annul (a writ).
  3. to deduct or subtract:

    to abate part of the cost.

  4. to omit:

    to abate all mention of names.

  5. 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.
  1. to diminish in intensity, violence, amount, etc.: The pain in his shoulder finally abated.

    The storm has abated.

    The pain in his shoulder finally abated.

    Synonyms: subside

    Antonyms: intensify, increase

  2. Law. to end; become null and void.

abate

/ əˈbeɪt /

verb

  1. to make or become less in amount, intensity, degree, etc

    the storm has abated

  2. tr law
    1. to remove, suppress, or terminate (a nuisance)
    2. to suspend or extinguish (a claim or action)
    3. to annul (a writ)
  3. intr law (of a writ, legal action, etc) to become null and void
  4. tr to subtract or deduct, as part of a price


Discover More

Other Words From

  • a·bat·a·ble adjective
  • a·bat·er Law. a·ba·tor noun
  • un·a·bat·a·ble adjective
  • un·a·bat·ing adjective
  • un·a·bat·ing·ly adverb

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of abate1

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

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of abate1

C14: from Old French abatre to beat down, fell

Discover More

Example Sentences

Some reforms, such as government reimbursement of telehealth consultations, may be reversed when the crisis abates.

Targeted adjustments, elbows, needles, and electrotherapy abated the pain for a day or two at most.

The political crisis in Ethiopia is not showing signs of abating.

From 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.

From Digiday

That interest eventually abated as buyers stockpiled enough programming to fill their pipelines for a time.

From Digiday

Some express a feeling of hopelessness and that their intractable sadness will never abate.

That modern science has repeatedly affirmed their findings does little to abate the continuing doubt.

Perhaps, under different circumstances, with other kinds of modern Jewish women, their anger might start to abate.

To abate the overload, The Daily Beast created its first list of the best destinations on the Web.

He noted that the worst of the storm had passed, and the accompanying record surge would abate with the tide.

It is therefore our duty, sir, to protect our principal, and we cannot consent to abate one jot or tittle of our rights.

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.

He had a vanity easily lacerated, and he was now too savage to abate the ferocity of his forensic attack.

The Abate Ziak, both by precept and example, taught me to support my sufferings with calmness and resignation.

We were much hurt, but we obtained as his successor the Abate Ziak, another learned and worthy divine.

Advertisement

Word of the Day

petrichor

[pet-ri-kawr]

Meaning and examples

Start each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!

By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


abasiaabated