abated; abating

intransitive verb

1
: to decrease in force or intensity
waiting for the storm to abate
2
a
: 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

1
a
: to put an end to
abate a nuisance
b
: nullify sense 1
abate a writ
2
a
: 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
4
a
: to beat down or cut away so as to leave a figure in relief
b
obsolete : blunt
5
abater noun
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
With the political damage from the Epstein scandal showing no signs of abating, Trump also sought to deflect blame to his Democratic rivals. Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 28 July 2025 The affordability crisis affecting the US automobile market shows little signs of abating. Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 21 July 2025 Washington could also recommit to plans to withdraw forces from Syria and Iraq as an indication that the United States intends to continue its global realignment away from the Middle East once the current crisis abates. Jennifer Kavanagh, Foreign Affairs, 25 June 2025 Tensions showed little sign of abating over the weekend and into Monday, as casualties mounted on both sides and scheduled talks on Iran's nuclear program were canceled. Sean Conlon,jenni Reid, CNBC, 16 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for abate

Word History

Etymology

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, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of abate was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Abate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abate. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

abate

verb
abated; abating
: to make or become less
the wind abated
abated their prices
abater noun

Legal Definition

abate

verb
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 abateFederal 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.

Etymology

Old French abattre, literally, to knock down, from a-, prefix stressing result + battre to beat

More from Merriam-Webster on abate

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