1
as in to subside
to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually
interest in the author's home abated as her novels waned in popularity
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to reduce
to make smaller in amount, volume, or extent
a couple of aspirin should abate the pain
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to abolish
to put an end to by formal action
asked the appellate court to abate the lower court's ruling allowing the patient to be removed from life support
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to subtract
to take away (an amount or number) from a total
I managed to get the used car dealer to abate $200 from the sticker price
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to deprive
to take something away from
recurring problems could not abate her of her enthusiasm for the project
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
The supply issues have now abated, but getting these drugs has somehow become even harder.
—
Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 28 Oct. 2025
These problems also occurred in the first weeks of the previous cease-fire, which lasted from January to March of this year; once the level of aid reached an equilibrium with the population’s needs, however, the looting abated.
—Jeremy Konyndyk, Foreign Affairs, 23 Oct. 2025
Again, though, the pressure did not abate.
—Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
But that did not abate their craving to travel more.
—Kaela Ling, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for abate
Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 28 Oct. 2025
These problems also occurred in the first weeks of the previous cease-fire, which lasted from January to March of this year; once the level of aid reached an equilibrium with the population’s needs, however, the looting abated.
—Jeremy Konyndyk, Foreign Affairs, 23 Oct. 2025
Again, though, the pressure did not abate.
—Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
But that did not abate their craving to travel more.
—Kaela Ling, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for abate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abate
Verb
-
Mariners traversing the bar are urged to exercise extreme caution or stay in port until the threat subsides.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
7 Jan. 2026
-
These findings have prompted the development of interventions designed to create time and space between an individual’s suicidal impulse and access to firearms, allowing acute urges to subside.—
Russell Lemle,
Mercury News,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
During his January 2025 State of the State address, Little called for tax cuts that could reduce the state’s general fund by about $100 million.—
Sarah Cutler,
Idaho Statesman,
9 Jan. 2026
-
To reduce sizes, builders are going back to open floor plans with fewer hallways.—
Lew Sichelman,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The FairTax Act of 2025 was the latest bid to abolish the Internal Revenue Service and replace income tax and other levies with a national sales tax.—
Marina Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
6 Jan. 2026
-
During his campaign, Mamdani pledged to keep the NYPD’s headcount flat, abolish the department’s controversial Strategic Response Group and get rid of its gang database — all proposals opposed by Tisch, who supports hiring more cops.—
Rocco Parascandola,
New York Daily News,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In physics — or most of physics, at any rate — energy differences are what really matters, and with care physicists can subtract one infinity from another to see what’s left.—
George Musser,
Quanta Magazine,
5 Jan. 2026
-
The Patriots went just 17 yards after the turnover, with 15 yards subtracted by penalties.—
Doug Kyed,
Hartford Courant,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The group also argued that moving people into federal immigration custody while local criminal cases are ongoing disrupts the legal process, potentially depriving victims of justice and defendants the opportunity to defend against charges.—
Laura Schulte,
jsonline.com,
7 Nov. 2025
-
But the Court held that Scott was property and the Constitution does not allow the government to deprive a citizen of property without due process of law.—
Equal Justice Initiative,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
This can reduce dependence on critical raw materials, lower costs, decrease carbon emissions, and ultimately make sustainable technologies more reliable and accessible in everyday life, as per the release.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Nov. 2025
-
The trend, Morales said, should come as a giant, blinking warning sign for Republicans, who ran in 2024 on promises to decrease inflation and improve the cost of living for everyday Americans.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
In 2020, voters repealed the Gallagher Amendment in the state constitution, which locked in a certain ratio of residential to commercial property taxes that provided extra security for homeowners against sudden increases.—
Nick Coltrain,
Denver Post,
6 Jan. 2026
-
But a further threat to its revenue comes by way of a possible ballot measure to repeal the trash pickup fee assessed last year on single-family homes that is being considered by the conservative-leaning Lincoln Club and others.—
Michael Smolens,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
An Associated Press investigation in 2010 found that some students were being forced to dance at strip clubs, while others were being paid less than $1 an hour after labor brokers deducted fees.—
Sam Tabachnik,
Denver Post,
6 Jan. 2026
-
The new law allows workers to deduct up to $25,000 in tips and up to $25,000 in overtime from their taxes.—
Chad Murphy,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Abate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abate. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share