Definition of abate
abated
;abating
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 nuisanceb : nullify 1 abate a writ
2a : to reduce in degree or intensity : moderate may abate their rancor to win peaceb : to reduce in value or amount : to make less especially by way of relief abate a tax
4a : to beat down or cut away so as to leave a figure in reliefb obsolete : blunt
5 : deprive 2
abater
nounExplore Merriam-Webster
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 of abate from the Web
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West Dundee Village Manager Joe Cavallaro said crews would be putting larvicide briquettes in storm drains to help abate mosquitoes.
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There’s a joy that comes with seeing that stuff that hasn’t abated at all.
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The rain abated for Aaron, and his lap times began to drop, quickly approaching the two-minute mark.
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Late-afternoon sprinkles abated just in time to ensure clear skies and inviting breezes for this Grant Park and Chicago premiere at Pritzker Pavilion.
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The investigation, though, shows no sign of abating, amid a steady drip-drip of news reports on questionable Russia contacts that only feed the curiosity in Washington.
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Oil prices this week plunged into a bear market for the first time since last summer amid signs that the three-year old global glut of crude will take longer to abate.
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Maryland's opioid epidemic shows no signs of abating, even as politicians and health officials scramble to prevent overdose deaths and provide more treatment options for those who are addicted to opioid drugs.
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President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s purge of enemies and dissenters following last year’s failed coup shows no signs of abating.
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.
Origin and Etymology of abate
Middle English abaten, borrowed from Anglo-French abatre “to strike down, fell, reduce, put an end to,” from a-, prefix in transitive verbs (going back to Latin ad- ad-) + batre “to beat,” going back to Latin battuere, of uncertain origin
Synonym Discussion of abate
synonyms see in addition decrease
ABATE Defined for English Language Learners
abate
playDefinition of abate for English Language Learners
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: to become weaker : to decrease in strength
ABATE Defined for Kids
abate
playDefinition of abate for Students
abated
;abating
: to make or become less The flood abated slowly.
abatement
\-mənt\ noun The noise continued without abatement.Law Dictionary
abate
playLegal Definition of abate
abated
abating
transitive verb
1 a : 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
Additional Notes on abate
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.
Origin and Etymology of abate
Old French abattre, literally, to knock down, from a-, prefix stressing result + battre to beat
Learn More about abate
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See words that rhyme with abate Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for abate Spanish Central: Translation of abate Nglish: Translation of abate for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of abate for Arabic speakers
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