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 The unrest shows no signs of abating despite an intensifying police crackdown, limited concessions from the Hong Kong government and sheer exhaustion faced by many protesters. — Washington Post, "Hong Kong protesters confront police tear gas with petrol bombs in 15th weekend of demonstrations," 15 Sep. 2019 According to a survey of purchasing managers released on September 2nd, Europe’s manufacturing decline shows no sign of abating. — The Economist, "Mario Draghi and the ECB confront a slowing euro zone," 5 Sep. 2019 Over the last decade, hardly a week goes by without another addition to the self-referential canon, and the trend shows no sign of abating. — Randy Lewis, Los Angeles Times, "Keeping it real: A country-music playlist," 4 Sep. 2019 The bill has since been shelved, but the uproar stoked a wider civil unrest that shows no sign of abating. — Joshua Berlinger, CNN, "Order returns to Hong Kong airport, but tensions linger," 14 Aug. 2019 Oklahoma pursued the case under the state’s public nuisance statute and presented the judge with a plan to abate the crisis that would cost between $12.6 billion for 20 years and $17.5 billion over 30 years. — Sean Murphy, BostonGlobe.com, "Okla. judge orders Johnson & Johnson to pay $572m for role in opioid crisis," 26 Aug. 2019 Oklahoma pursued the case under the state's public nuisance statute and presented the judge with a plan to abate the crisis that would cost between $12.6 billion for 20 years and $17.5 billion over 30 years. — Fortune, "Johnson & Johnson Helped Drive Oklahoma’s Drug Crisis, Judge Rules," 26 Aug. 2019 Cleveland County District Judge Thad Balkman signed the agreement calling for the funds to be used to help abate the state's opioid crisis. — NBC News, "Opioid maker settles lawsuit with Oklahoma for $85 million," 24 June 2019 That curiosity abated by the end of the year in Pawtucket. — Alex Speier, BostonGlobe.com, "How close is Red Sox prospect Bobby Dalbec to the big leagues?," 3 Sep. 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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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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