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as in to deprive
to take something away from recurring problems could not abate her of her enthusiasm for the project

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word abate distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of abate are ebb, subside, and wane. While all these words mean "to die down in force or intensity," abate stresses the idea of progressive diminishing.

the storm abated

Where would ebb be a reasonable alternative to abate?

The words ebb and abate can be used in similar contexts, but ebb suggests the receding of something (such as the tide) that commonly comes and goes.

the ebbing of daylight

When is it sensible to use subside instead of abate?

Although the words subside and abate have much in common, subside implies the ceasing of turbulence or agitation.

the protests subsided after a few days

In what contexts can wane take the place of abate?

The synonyms wane and abate are sometimes interchangeable, but wane suggests the fading or weakening of something good or impressive.

waning enthusiasm

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of abate To abate that fear, people are hungry for information. Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 20 Sep. 2025 There’s no doubt that commercial real estate, and especially the office market, is undergoing a seismic transformation, one that’s not likely to abate any time soon. Greg Friedman, Fortune, 19 Sep. 2025 When that high water abated in late July, Day predicted that barge traffic on the state's largest port and the Arkansas River as a whole would return to normal. Arkansas Online, 18 Sep. 2025 The bells chime in the wind, then fade when the wind abates. Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 18 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for abate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abate
Verb
  • There was some concern about Mayfield’s status for the Bucs’ Week 5 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks, but those worries were likely subsided after Mayfield was a full participant in Thursday’s practice.
    Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The annexation question appeared to subside for a time afterwards.
    Paula Newton, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Onboarding can be personalized based on the team and role, helping people get productive faster and reducing the need for additional training.
    Jessica Coacci, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2025
  • This means targeted improvements could significantly reduce overall pollution without an industry-wide overhaul.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • However, when your organization was founded less than 45 years after slavery was abolished, when Black women were still being forced to be wet nurses to the very children of those who oppressed them and lynching was a common occurrence below the Mason-Dixon Line?
    Essence, Essence, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The European Parliament has twice called for Yahaya’s release, asking Nigeria to set an example by abolishing the blasphemy laws under which he has been detained for over five years.
    Sean Nelson, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Typically, the report is released on the first Friday of the month and includes information about how many jobs were added or subtracted from each industry.
    Brittney Melton, NPR, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The leap from knots to links is a relatively small one, but mathematicians can extend the ideas of knot theory to study mind-bending concepts such as higher-dimensional knots, surfaces with knotted edges and difficult-to-imagine objects obtained by subtracting a knot from three-dimensional space.
    Emma R. Hasson, Scientific American, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • This involves labeling people according to categories that deprive them of positive human qualities.
    Ron Barrett, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2025
  • The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office on Tuesday estimated that a shutdown could furlough roughly 750,000 federal workers each day, depriving them of about $400 million in wages daily.
    Nik Popli, Time, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Sesame oil is high in antioxidants that may help decrease the risk of cancer and heart disease, along with reducing joint pain related to arthritis.
    Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 4 Oct. 2025
  • As the storm moves away, this likelihood decreases.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 4 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Democrats are also hoping to repeal cuts to health care programs that were put in place as part of the GOP spending and tax bill that passed over the summer.
    The NPR Network, NPR, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Nevertheless, Ashley and Locke did not want the HALT Act to be repealed.
    Jennifer Gonnerman, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • As viewers know, the judges base their scores on a number of factors, including technique and performance, and can deduct points if performers break any golden dance rules.
    Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025
  • If a customer has no option to disregard or modify the charge, it cannot be deducted from the employee’s income.
    Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 29 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Abate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abate. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

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