abate
verb
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Definition of abate
1 : to decrease in force or intensity waiting for the storm to abate
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
5 : deprive sense 2
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Synonyms & Antonyms for abate
Synonyms
de-escalate, decline, decrease, die (away or down or out), diminish, drain (away), drop (off), dwindle, ease, ebb, fall, fall away, lessen, let up, lower, moderate, pall, phase down, ratchet (down) also rachet (down) , recede, relent, remit, shrink, subside, taper, taper off, wane
Antonyms
accumulate, balloon, build, burgeon (also bourgeon), enlarge, escalate, expand, grow, increase, intensify, mount, mushroom, pick up, rise, snowball, soar, swell, wax
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Examples of abate in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Looking ahead, the humidity will abate during the day and the weekend looks promising with sunny skies and temperatures in the low to mid-80s. — Joseph A. Gambardello, Philly.com, "Heat wave ends on a wet note in Philadelphia," 6 July 2018 The flow of asylum seekers from Central America has not noticeably abated even during the administration’s imposition of cruelties. — David A. Martin, Vox, "How to fix the crisis caused by Central American asylum seekers — humanely," 2 July 2018 Both filmmaking and entertainment journalism are ruled by fierce competition for a finite number of jobs, a situation that shows no signs of abating anytime soon. — Justin Chang, latimes.com, "We need more diversity in film criticism, but 'Who is this movie for?' is the wrong question to ask," 20 June 2018 So if the thunderstorms abate for a couple of days, get out your hose (early in the morning or as the sun goes down) and water away. — Mark Skoneki, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Why do Central Floridians water their lawns during rain storms? Let nature keep the grass green," 6 July 2018 With the controversy over the separations only partly abated, no senior administration official went on the Sunday news-talk shows to defend the White House’s actions, as would be normal practice when a major policy issue is involved. — Laura King, latimes.com, "Administration says it has a plan to reunite immigrant families; Democrats are skeptical," 25 June 2018 Oil retreated from its highest close in more than three years as Middle East tensions abated on speculation that U.S.-led military intervention in Syria won't go beyond the weekend's missile strikes. — Grant Smith, Houston Chronicle, "Oil slips on speculation Syria intervention will be limited," 16 Apr. 2018 Jones said residents would be afforded due process and the right to appeal before the city abates the nuisance condition. — Beth Mlady, cleveland.com, "Berea officials consider adding problematic trees to nuisance conditions law," 9 Apr. 2018 Mexico suffered its most murderous year in memory in 2017 with 29,168 homicides as the longtime drug war shows few signs of abating. — David Agren, USA TODAY, "Andrés Manuel López Obrador is likely to be Mexico's next president. Who is he?," 29 June 2018These 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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From the Editors at Merriam-Webster
'Bated', 'Shod', 'Boon', and 7 Other...
'Bated', 'Shod', 'Boon', and 7 Other Fossil Words
When old words show up in modern English
Statistics for abate
Last Updated
13 Sep 2018
Look-up Popularity
Time Traveler for abate
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
\
Kids Definition of abate
: to make or become less The flood abated slowly.
abate
verb
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Legal Definition of abate
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
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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