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as in to deprive
to take something away from recurring problems could not abate her of her enthusiasm for the project

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word abate distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of abate are ebb, subside, and wane. While all these words mean "to die down in force or intensity," abate stresses the idea of progressive diminishing.

the storm abated

Where would ebb be a reasonable alternative to abate?

The words ebb and abate can be used in similar contexts, but ebb suggests the receding of something (such as the tide) that commonly comes and goes.

the ebbing of daylight

When is it sensible to use subside instead of abate?

Although the words subside and abate have much in common, subside implies the ceasing of turbulence or agitation.

the protests subsided after a few days

In what contexts can wane take the place of abate?

The synonyms wane and abate are sometimes interchangeable, but wane suggests the fading or weakening of something good or impressive.

waning enthusiasm

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of abate On Tuesday, fresh explosions were heard in northern Israel as the conflict showed no signs of abating. Barney Henderson, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 June 2025 Since Thursday night, Iran has been bombarded by intense Israeli airstrikes that show no signs of abating anytime soon. Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 16 June 2025 Days of record temperatures to abate by midweek The heat dome unleashing stifling heat across the Pacific Northwest is expected to ease by Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service. Christopher Cann, USA Today, 11 June 2025 After the hearings, the council voted to approve resolutions declaring all three properties public nuisances, condemning the structures and giving the property owners 30 days to abate the issues. Lynn Kutter, Arkansas Online, 6 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for abate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abate
Verb
  • The excitement over Tesla’s robotaxi launch is subsiding as fewer social media videos are posted.
    Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 2 July 2025
  • Investors have cheered as stocks have swiftly recovered to fresh highs and volatility has subsided.
    John Towfighi, CNN Money, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • To reduce background noise when making phone calls or joining in with a video meeting, Headphone (1) has a 4-microphone ENC system that’s backed up by AI.
    Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • Using the current policy baseline, the CBO found that the legislation would reduce the deficit by $508 billion.
    Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • While Minnesota abolished the death penalty over a century ago, the federal murder charges carry a maximum penalty of capital punishment.
    Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 9 July 2025
  • Minnesota abolished its state death penalty in 1911.
    Steve Karnowski, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2025
Verb
  • Under both the House and Senate versions, taxpayers in the top bracket will have to subtract 2/37th from the value of each dollar deducted over the threshold.
    Robert Frank, CNBC, 3 July 2025
  • Where surpluses on other players arrive only once their existing book value has been subtracted, for those who have been at a club from a young age there is little or nothing to subtract.
    Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 21 June 2025
Verb
  • Alabama last year became the first state to carry out an execution with nitrogen gas, a method that involves pumping nitrogen through a face mask and depriving the inmate of oxygen.
    Kim Chandler, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2025
  • Permitting their unlawful removal would thwart that purpose and deprive the public of the commission's full expertise and oversight.
    Melissa Quinn July 2, CBS News, 2 July 2025
Verb
  • Following Monday's trade, Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust will own 220 shares of GS, decreasing its weighting to about 4.35% from about 4.75%.
    Jeff Marks, CNBC, 7 July 2025
  • The recent data represents a downward trend as COVID-19 cases and deaths have decreased statewide into early summer, the state dashboard shows.
    Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 7 July 2025
Verb
  • While the Trump administration has passed temporary waivers on those sanctions, known as the Caesar Act, they can only be permanently repealed by law.
    Matthew Lee, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2025
  • But the bill that passed Congress on Thursday would repeal the part of the 2022 law that established the green bank and rescind money that hadn’t already been obligated to its recipients.
    Michael Phillis, Chicago Tribune, 4 July 2025
Verb
  • This, as well as the tax cuts, allows high-income earners to deduct more taxes and keep more income.
    Terina Allen, Forbes.com, 4 July 2025
  • Right now, taxpayers can deduct up to $10,000 in state and local taxes from their federal income tax bill.
    Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Abate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abate. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.

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