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

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 As Covid fears abate, speed and convenience are really the only things keeping consumers shopping online. — Laura Forman, WSJ, 27 July 2022 This would be especially true in hard-to-abate industries like manufacturing, industrial, mining and fossil fuel energy production. — David Blackmon, Forbes, 25 June 2022 Severe Violator Enforcement Program, which concentrates on inspecting employers that have demonstrated indifference to the OSHA Act by willful, repeated or failure-to-abate violations. — Laura Hancock, cleveland, 22 June 2022 Meanwhile, the city is continuing to abate homeless camps. — Emily Goodykoontz, Anchorage Daily News, 16 June 2022 The repetition has started to abate somewhat, with the inclusion of less obvious-seeming choices. — Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2022 Tonight: Mainly clear skies and calm winds allow the heat to abate. — David Streit, Washington Post, 19 May 2022 Chris Minick, the city’s chief financial officer, has said the city would pay the bonds with other revenue, and abate the tax levy for this issue. — Steve Lord, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2022 Park Rangers educate and assist park patrons and prevent, identify, and abate nuisance behavior. — oregonlive, 28 Apr. 2022 See More

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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Dictionary Entries Near abate

abastardize

abate

abatement

Statistics for abate

Last Updated

12 Aug 2022

Cite this Entry

“Abate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abate. Accessed 12 Aug. 2022.

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More Definitions for abate

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.