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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 That has not abated, but Hedda’s reign of terror will find new ways to out itself (and her) over the course of one devastating party. Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 8 Sep. 2025 Alternative revenue source bonds are not subjected to any debt capacity constraints and are paid for by any lawfully available resource, but also have a property tax levy as back up that the district would abate each year. Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025 Soon after, the pandemic hit and the downtown commute abated, said Robert Alvis, who served as the theater’s general manager from October 2019 until May, and is a vice president of GD Theatres. Sacbee.com, 30 Aug. 2025 Albus, in his federal filing, said that the Chakraverty and the other defendants had agreed to make restitution of the taxes abated between 2021 and 2024. Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 29 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for abate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abate
Verb
  • From the Luddites smashing looms in 19th-century England to autoworkers walking out over the introduction of robots to the factory floor in the 1980s, resistance has flared before either being crushed or subsiding, giving way to the new economies and social orders the technologies ushered in.
    Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
  • The pharmaceutical company’s shares traded as high as $942 last summer, but have subsided to about $755.
    John Dorfman, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • His team accused Whatley of distorting the facts to cover for his support of federal policies that reduced funding for local police.
    Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Valentino has been streamlining its wholesale channel, reduced by about 20 percent in 2024, a strategy that continued in 2025 and that is expected to impact its year-end performance.
    Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Iranian authorities must immediately implement a moratorium on all executions and abolish the death penalty.
    Robert Birsel, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
  • The Department of Labor withdrew a plan to establish a minimum wage for workers with disabilities and abolished wage protections for the home-health aides who assist millions of seniors and disabled people.
    E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Reflect on each category, then add or subtract a dollar figure based on the level of impact your job has on that category—positive or negative.
    Renessa Boley Layne, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
  • The Boys & Girls Club donation counter Bargatze spoke ahead of the show about his effort to keep speeches on time by subtracting from a $100,000 donation to the Boys & Girls Club every time someone went over.
    Sandra Gonzalez, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Effective budgeting and saving do not mean depriving yourself.
    True Tamplin, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • The collateral damage caused by that saga has affected Newcastle’s early-season performances, depriving them of a senior centre-forward for the opening three games and generally generating toxicity.
    James McNicholas, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • They’re formulated with hydrating ingredients designed to decrease puffiness and help with dark circles.
    Isabel Garcia, PEOPLE, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Darrow says the orchard’s acreage has decreased by half, mirroring the state’s overall decline since 2000.
    Mark Dent, HubSpot, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Initially, both the Treasury Department and key congressional leaders were determined to repeal the SALT deduction entirely.
    Joseph Thorndike, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Federal officials have said that repealing the rule would allow for more flexible management for local land managers and aid in preventing destructive wildfires.
    John Leos, AZCentral.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The law imposed a $10,000 cap on state and local taxes that taxpayers could deduct from their federal taxable income.
    Joseph Thorndike, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Bargatze promised to deduct $1,000 for every second a speech went over and add $1,000 for any speech under 45 seconds.
    Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 15 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Abate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abate. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

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