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
nounPeople Are Reading
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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His salary, which started at about $5 million annually, drew attention, but the practice of trading in government service for a bigger private paycheck has showed no signs of abating.
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Two years on and the conflict in Yemen shows little signs of abating.
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Franken’s anger at the way his comedy career was treated has clearly not abated, nor has his dislike for his opponent Norm Coleman.
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With the insurgency showing no sign of abating, authorities are unlikely to shy away from doing more.
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Nayak pointed out that the flooding predicted in his models could likely be abated, or at least mitigated, by the use of wetlands, green space and other landscape features that could help reduce runoff.
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At that point, even if humanity took drastic action to abate climate change, global sea levels would rise, and Thomas began to wonder how Floridians would cope.
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Everyone homeowner out there has an idea of how to improve his or her house; Conner suggests ways to ensure that your building materials come from sustainable sources, teaches how to abate lead and asbestos, and offers tips on how to go solar.
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
First Known Use: 14th century
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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