abate

verb

\ 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

Conditions could improve in the second half if tensions abate and global economic growth isn’t affected for an extended period of time. — Telis Demos, WSJ, "Big Banks’ Trading Desks Suffer Despite Market Rally," 28 June 2019 Furthermore, all of these climbers would be closely watching the erratic weather, looking to time their summit attempts for the few days each season when the winds abate and the skies clear. — National Geographic, "Inside the Everest expedition that built the world’s highest weather station," 27 June 2019 Jackson said the mold problems and some of the other issues have abated, but that the pest control efforts have had little follow-through, resulting in a resurgence of rats. — oregonlive.com, "Tenant organizer sues, says property manager threatened eviction for union activities," 25 June 2019 Police post that the zone will be abated, and then clear out campers 10 days later. — Julia O'malley, Anchorage Daily News, "Anchorage is doing more than ever to clear homeless camps, but many residents think the problem has never been worse. What’s really going on?," 21 June 2019 But Choquette’s pain did not abate, according to the lawsuit. — Christine Clarridge, The Seattle Times, "Washington prison inmate awarded $549,000 after he’s denied pain medication for multiple sclerosis," 7 Nov. 2018 Famine eventually abated last year, but the country is now teetering on the brink again. — Abigail Higgins, Vox, "The World Bank and tech companies want to use AI to predict famine," 29 Sep. 2018 The drumbeat of companies into the public markets looks unlikely to abate soon. — Kimberly Chin, WSJ, "RealReal Shares Leap 45% in Trading Debut," 28 June 2019 The firm of Whitten Burrage in Oklahoma City is to withdraw its legal fees before wiring the remainder of the money, within 24 hours, to the Opioid Lawsuit Settlement Fund within the state treasury to abate the opioid crisis, Balkman said. — Wayne Drash, CNN, "Oklahoma judge approves $85 million settlement with opioid drugmaker Teva," 24 June 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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Dictionary Entries near abate

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Last Updated

19 Jul 2019

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

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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.