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 When Tehran’s rockets left no casualties in attacks on U.S. bases in Iraq, the crisis abated, at least for the moment. — Washington Post, "Iran standoff shines spotlight on new Trump security adviser," 11 Jan. 2020 Indeed, recession worries that were running high just a few months ago have abated. — Mark Zandi For Cnn Business Perspectives, CNN, "Last year, I predicted a recession in 2020. Risks have receded, but not for long," 26 Dec. 2019 Neither that war nor its consequences for democracy have abated in the intervening 12 months. — Karl Vick, Time, "In the Year Since TIME Named Besieged Journalists the Person of the Year, the War Against Truth Has Continued Unabated," 12 Dec. 2019 Four corner bathrooms were fully abated, demolished, and are being prepped for new tile. — Alec Johnson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Improvements at Brown Deer Schools are nearing completion and should be done by late August," 17 July 2019 As night fell, the crowd’s anger showed no signs of abating. — Justin Rohrlich, Quartz, "Amid Baghdad embassy attacks, US spending on diplomatic security drops 11%," 1 Jan. 2020 The acrimony at City Hall shows little sign of abating. — oregonlive, "Chaos in Newberg: Race discrimination lawsuit upends city government," 21 Dec. 2019 But public outrage at the far right’s new place in society and government is already abating. — Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, "A year of protests caps a decade of crisis and anger," 20 Dec. 2019 That conflict is heightened by a trade war that President Trump started in July 2018 and that shows only tentative signs of abating. — BostonGlobe.com, "In recent months, Chinese officials with diplomatic passports have become bolder about showing up unannounced at research or government facilities, US officials said, with the infiltration of the military base only the most remarkable instance.," 16 Dec. 2019

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

18 Jan 2020

Cite this Entry

“Abate.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abated. Accessed 26 January 2020.

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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.

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