abate

verb

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\ ə-ˈbāt

abated; abating

Definition of abate

intransitive verb

1 : to decrease in force or intensity waiting for the storm to abate

2a : to become defeated or become null or void (as of a writ or appeal)

b : to decrease in amount or value The legacies abated proportionately.

transitive verb

1a : to put an end to abate a nuisance

b : nullify sense 1 abate a writ

2a : to reduce in degree or intensity : moderate may abate their rancor to win peace

b : to reduce in value or amount : to make less especially by way of relief abate a tax

3 : deduct, omit abate part of the price

4a : to beat down or cut away so as to leave a figure in relief

b obsolete : blunt

5 : deprive sense 1

Other Words from abate Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about abate

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Choose the Right Synonym for abate

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 (such as the tide) that commonly comes and goes. the ebbing of daylight

synonyms see in addition decrease

Examples of abate in a Sentence

For a while, in the Cold War's aftermath, the public fascination for espionage may abate, though somehow I doubt it. — John le Carré, Boston Globe, 19 Nov. 1989 At about six, as the heat abated, people began to crowd the streets and marketplaces, and to fill the cafés. — Milton Viorst, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 1987 But his attitude of sullen grievance and simmering fury never abated fully. — Joseph Heller, God Knows, 1984 We waited for the wind to abate. interest in the author's home abated as her novels waned in popularity

Recent Examples on the Web Winds abate but highs still struggle to do better than upper 30s to low 40s. — Washington Post, "D.C.-area forecast: Mild sunshine with less wind before a dry but cold weekend," 21 Jan. 2021 Terry stops and frisks are perhaps some of the most important and powerful legal tools police possess to pre-empt or quickly abate criminal activity, helping ensure public peace and safety. — Arkansas Online, "An important tool," 5 Dec. 2020 National CineMedia has tried to alleviate the financial pressure by cutting salaries up to 20%, suspending nonessential expenditures, and asking landlords and vendors to defer or abate expenses. — Alexander Gladstone, WSJ, "Movie Theater Ad Company National CineMedia Taps Lawyers for Debt Talks," 21 Jan. 2021 Yet just when Americans need them most, our artists and arts institutions are confronting a crisis that may endure long after infections abate. — New York Times, "The Arts Are in Crisis. Here’s How Biden Can Help.," 13 Jan. 2021 Next, when symptoms subside, the student may return to the classroom on a limited basis, perhaps for half a day until signs abate. — cleveland, "Baldwin Wallace lab researches brain injuries: Community Voices," 14 Dec. 2020 As restrictions ease, people have started venturing out again to meet up with friends, go on vacations and flock back to businesses, causing the virus to surge and abate over and over. — Aidin Vaziri, SFChronicle.com, "Meet the people still sheltering in place in the Bay Area: ‘I don’t see an end to it’," 8 Oct. 2020 Modeling indicates that the area’s outbreak could plateau toward the end of the month and start to abate sometime in February, Mayor Ron Nirenberg said during the daily coronavirus briefing. — Lauren Caruba, ExpressNews.com, "‘Extremely dangerous’: San Antonio’s COVID-19 hospitalizations continue frightening upward trajectory as officials report 1,585 new cases," 11 Jan. 2021 At the most recent board meeting on Monday, commissioners weighed dipping further into reserves to abate rent for some of its struggling tenants. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Port of San Diego picks defense executive as new CEO," 30 Dec. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'abate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

25 Feb 2021

Cite this Entry

“Abate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abate. Accessed 27 Feb. 2021.

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More Definitions for abate

abate

verb

English Language Learners Definition of abate

: to become weaker : to decrease in strength

See the full definition for abate in the English Language Learners Dictionary

abate

verb

\ ə-ˈbāt

abated; abating

Kids Definition of abate

: to make or become less The flood abated slowly.

abate

verb

\ ə-ˈbāt

abated; abating

Legal Definition of abate

transitive verb

1a : to put an end to or do away with abate a nuisance

b : to make void : nullify abate an action

2 : to reduce in amount especially proportionately abate a tax

intransitive verb

1 : to become defeated or become null or void when a public officer who is a party to an appeal…in an official capacity dies…the action does not abate — Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure Rule 43

2 : to decrease in amount or value the legacies abated proportionately

Note: A problem arises in estate law when the amount of the bequests and devises made in a will exceeds the assets available in the estate. In such a case, some or all of the bequests and devises may have to be abated to make up the deficit. Under the Uniform Probate Code, property in the estate that is not given under the will abates first, residuary devises abate second, general devises abate third, and specific devises abate last.