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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 All four remain at a contractual standstill that's showing no signs of abating anytime soon. Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025 And by 2022, his injury troubles abated. Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025 The most recent rounds of layoffs have occurred at a time when job losses for the Bay Area tech industry are starting to abate. George Avalos, Mercury News, 15 Aug. 2025 Fellner says that kind of Renée-Bridget mind-melding hasn’t abated over the years. Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 14 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for abate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abate
Verb
  • The Royals are waiting for his back spasms to subside before getting him back into game action.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 9 Sep. 2025
  • By 2008, Americans were withdrawing, and combat deaths were subsiding to their lowest level since the start of the occupation.
    Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Made with prebiotic oat to soothe irritation and support the skin barrier, the gentle cream also has feverfew extract, which is packed with antioxidants that reduce redness and further calm irritation.
    Jenny Berg, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Funding used in high school for more than 29 credit hours will reduce scholarship eligibility after high school by one year, and more than 59 credit hours will reduce eligibility by two years.
    Edward McKinnon, Arkansas Online, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Merz, for his part, would like to abolish this daily working limit while still maintaining the 40-hour workweek, allowing working days to become more flexible.
    Alex Ledsom, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2025
  • In 2018, China’s legislature abolished presidential term limits in a ceremonial vote, effectively allowing Xi to rule for life.
    Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • If the owner never comes forward, companies are required to turn over the proceeds to the state after subtracting their fees.
    Dave Altimari, ProPublica, 9 Sep. 2025
  • The business survey provides data on pay, hours worked and the number of jobs the US economy added or subtracted.
    David Goldman, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Rayner’s departure is another headache for the United Kingdom’s increasingly unpopular leader, Keir Starmer, and deprives his cabinet of one of its brightest political stars.
    Max Foster, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Others, such as the owners of the Firefox search engine, asserted that losing the Google contracts would threaten their future survival by depriving them of essential revenue.
    Michael Liedtke, Chicago Tribune, 2 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • This risk decreases as the storm moves away.
    STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Sep. 2025
  • As the storm moves away, this likelihood decreases.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • As Democrats weigh what to seek in exchange for agreeing to a GOP government funding plan, party leaders are publicly urging Republicans to repeal their future Medicaid cuts.
    Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • That means those rules would not be repealed for this school year, which has already begun.
    Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Forbes does not deduct for taxes or agents’ fees.
    Brett Knight, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
  • For qualifying food, retailers can deduct those receipts from their taxable gross receipts.
    Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Abate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abate. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

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