Main Entry:

abate

Pronunciation:

\ə-ˈbāt\

Function:

verb

Inflected Form(s):

abat·ed; abat·ing

Etymology:

Middle English, from Anglo-French abatre to strike down — more at rebate

Date:

13th century

transitive verb1 a: to put an end to <abate a nuisance> b: nullify 1 <abate a writ>2 a: to reduce in degree or intensity : moderate <may abate their rancor to win peace> b: to reduce in value or amount : make less especially by way of relief <abate a tax>3: deduct, omit <abate part of the price>4 a: to beat down or cut away so as to leave a figure in relief bobsolete : blunt5: deprive 2intransitive verb1: to decrease in force or intensity2 a: to become defeated or become null or void b: to decrease in amount or value

— abat·er noun

synonyms abate, subside, wane, ebb mean to die down in force or intensity. abate stresses the idea of progressive diminishing <the storm abated>. subside implies the ceasing of turbulence or agitation <the protests subsided after a few days>. wane suggests the fading or weakening of something good or impressive <waning enthusiasm>. ebb suggests the receding of something (as the tide) that commonly comes and goes <the ebbing of daylight>.

synonyms see in addition decrease