Synonyms of abate

abate

verb

ə-ˈbāt 

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

• subside
• decrease
• diminish
• fall
• decline
• vanish
• shrink
• ease
• recede
• lessen
• wane
• ebb
• relent
• moderate
• die (away or down or out)
• dwindle
• taper
• drain (away)
• pall
• drop (off)
• fall away
• weaken
• remit
• evaporate
• taper off
• lower
• let up
• de-escalate
• phase down
• ratchet (down)
• rachet (down)
• alleviate
• collapse
• slacken
• compress
• constrict
• fade (away)
• relax
• tail (off)
• condense
• slow (down)
• contract
• melt (away)
• give out
• peter (out)
• fritter (away)
• sink
• deflate
• cave (in)
• flag

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• increase
• rise
• grow
• intensify
• build
• escalate
• accumulate
• expand
• swell
• soar
• enlarge
• mount
• appear
• emerge
• pick up
• snowball
• wax
• mushroom
• burgeon
• balloon
• show up
• bourgeon
• lengthen
• distend
• blow up
• elongate

2

as in to reduce

to make smaller in amount, volume, or extent

a couple of aspirin should abate the pain

Synonyms & Similar Words

• reduce
• decrease
• diminish
• deplete
• lessen
• minimize
• lower
• ease
• dwindle
• dent
• downsize
• knock down
• slash
• cut
• drop
• de-escalate
• compress
• shrink
• downscale
• curtail
• shorten
• pare
• constrict
• cut down
• retrench
• abridge
• abbreviate
• trim
• cut back
• condense
• dock
• prune
• modify
• truncate
• contract
• modulate
• deflate
• crop
• whittle
• nick
• moderate
• qualify
• clip

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• increase
• augment
• expand
• escalate
• raise
• amplify
• enlarge
• boost
• swell
• extend
• prolong
• inflate
• dilate
• lengthen
• blow up
• add (to)
• intensify
• enhance
• supplement
• complement
• aggrandize
• elongate
• heighten
• distend
• protract
• redouble

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

• abolish
• repeal
• cancel
• avoid
• overturn
• vacate
• quash
• dissolve
• nullify
• invalidate
• void
• abrogate
• annul
• rescind
• negate
• withdraw
• dismiss
• revoke
• strike down
• roll back
• set aside
• suspend
• eliminate
• reverse
• null
• remove
• do away with
• disannul
• reject
• retract
• veto
• overrule
• forbid
• override
• eradicate
• recall
• prohibit
• enjoin
• ban
• erase
• abort
• countermand
• annihilate
• call off
• outlaw
• disallow
• drop
• liquidate
• call
• throw out
• write off
• break down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• enact
• establish
• found
• legislate
• lay down
• institute
• legitimate
• permit
• validate
• allow
• pass
• authorize
• approve
• ratify
• prescribe
• warrant
• legitimize
• order
• legalize
• endorse
• formalize
• clear
• sanction
• command
• indorse
• mandate
• decree

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

• subtract
• deduct
• reduce
• decrease
• diminish
• take off
• lessen
• discount
• dwindle
• curtail
• cut down
• lower
• knock off
• shorten
• abridge
• dock
• cut back
• slash
• downsize
• prune
• cut
• truncate
• crop
• pare
• knock down
• retrench
• abbreviate
• trim
• clip
• whittle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• add
• tack (on)
• supplement
• intensify
• complement
• enhance
• increase
• annex
• append
• heighten
• adjoin
• augment
• expand
• magnify
• escalate
• raise
• amplify
• enlarge
• multiply
• boost
• compound
• aggrandize
• beef (up)

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

• deprive
• strip
• divest
• bereave
• denude
• defraud
• clean (out)
• shortchange
• bankrupt
• impoverish
• cheat
• disfurnish

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

Recent Examples of abate

The recent surge in violence highlights the growing challenge of addressing the insurgency, which shows no signs of abating. —Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Apr. 2025

Chelsea finally managed to put Fulham under sustained pressure that did not abate even when Maresca made his boldest decision of all: to replace the toiling Nicolas Jackson with Cobham graduate George in the 78th minute. —Liam Twomey, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2025

Justin Bieber’s Hailey Vogue comments have now overtaken the pop-culture news cycle, one that nearly 24 hours later is showing no signs of abating. —Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 21 May 2025

The company abated the violations and paid a fine of $8,619, according to the OSHA data. —Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 4 May 2025