abate

[uh-beyt]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR abate 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.

Origin of abate

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

Related formsa·bat·a·ble, adjectivea·bat·er; Law. a·ba·tor, nounun·a·bat·a·ble, adjectiveun·a·bat·ing, adjectiveun·a·bat·ing·ly, adverb

Synonyms for abate

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR abate ON THESAURUS.COM

1. decrease, weaken. 6. subside.

Antonyms for abate

1, 6. increase, intensify.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for abate

slow, slacken, ebb, wane, dwindle, recede, taper, subside, decrease, diminish, dull, decline, subdue, reduce, coast, quell, allay, moderate, cool, unlax

Examples from the Web for abate

Contemporary Examples of abate

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
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
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
Deficits will begin to shrink; the country's present desperate mood will abate.
4 Predictions For A Second Obama Term
David Frum
August 27, 2012
The purge marked a bold effort by the Islamist leader to abate widespread anger over the attack.
Mohamed Morsi Stages a Risky Palace Coup Sacking Egyptian Army Chief
Vivian Salama
August 13, 2012

Historical Examples of abate

But the colonel did not abate one whit of his craft or caution.
The Rock of Chickamauga
Joseph A. Altsheler
Naval activity in the northern waters of Europe did not abate.
The Story of the Great War, Volume III (of VIII)
Various
She has two fits of fever daily, and the disease does not abate.
The Memoirs of the Louis XIV. and The Regency, Complete
Elizabeth-Charlotte, Duchesse d'Orleans
Then long hour followed long hour, but the inquietude of her mood did not abate.
The Scapegoat
Hall Caine
Certainly, but I shall exert all my strength to abate yours.
The Memoires of Casanova, Complete
Jacques Casanova de Seingalt

British Dictionary definitions for abate

abate

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

Word Origin and History for abate

"put an end to" (c.1300); "to grow less, diminish in power or influence" (early 14c.), from Old French abattre "beat down, cast down," from Vulgar Latin *abbatere, from Latin ad "to" (see ad-) + battuere "to beat" (see batter (v.)). Secondary sense of "to fell, slaughter" is in abatis and abattoir. Related: Abated; abating.