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 2

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

Also, these side effects may abate after a few weeks, Ward says. — Martine Thompson, SELF, "8 Things You Should Know Before Going on Antidepressants for the First Time," 30 Mar. 2018 As classes resume this week, so will a controversy that abated during summer break. — Nathaniel Brooks Horwitz, Town & Country, "Why I Refused to Join One of Harvard's All-Male Final Clubs," 31 Aug. 2016 According to Detroit Building Authority field notes obtained by the Free Press, Adamo was under contract to demolish a home located at 5798 Holcomb, which was abated. — Katrease Stafford, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit contractor faces suspension after demolishing wrong house," 16 May 2018 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

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

8 Nov 2018

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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

\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.