abate

[uh-beyt]

verb (used with object)

abated, abating 

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)

abated, abating 

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

Other Word Forms

• abatable adjective
• abater noun
• unabatable adjective
• unabating adjective
• unabatingly adverb

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of abate¹

C14: from Old French abatre to beat down, fell

Example Sentences

Yields have tightened in recent days as the threat of an immediate election abates but political instability looks set to remain.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"China's support for the junta has not only not abated, but expanded, as it desperately tries to shore up an economically incompetent and militarily over-stretched junta," it said in a report.

Read more on BBC

Its cachet of extreme exclusivity has not abated over the years, even as Birkin herself slid out of the public eye.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The doll’s popularity is showing no signs of abating, at least for now.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Yes, the optimism has abated from peak levels, but optimism is still warranted.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• decrease 
• diminish 
• dwindle 
• ebb 
• recede 
• slacken 
• subside 
• taper 
• wane