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 verb 1 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 b obsolete : blunt
5 : deprive 2intransitive verb 1 : to decrease in force or intensity
2 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