abated; abating

intransitive verb

1
: to decrease in force or intensity
waiting for the storm to abate
2
a
: 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

1
a
: to put an end to
abate a nuisance
b
: nullify sense 1
abate a writ
2
a
: 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
4
a
: to beat down or cut away so as to leave a figure in relief
b
obsolete : blunt
5
abater noun
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 But the economy is now booming—the stock market is setting records, inflation worries are abating. Benjamin Wallace-Wells, The New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2024 Interest Interest, which is required to be assessed, can never be abated by the IRS. Guinevere Moore, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 America’s obsession with football showed no signs of abating in 2023, cementing the NFL as one of the last vestiges of the monoculture in an era of fractured media consumption. Daniel Arkin, NBC News, 10 Feb. 2024 But as British fiscal policy grew less progressive, and the colonies ran out of personnel to repatriate, the island’s economic fortunes abated. Rebecca Panovka, Harper's Magazine, 9 Feb. 2024 Trends that, as of right now, have abated and even reversed. Galen Druke, ABC News, 1 Feb. 2024 Forecasters expect the first storm to abate Thursday afternoon, although San Luis Obispo and the mountains could see more precipitation Friday. Jon Healey, Los Angeles Times, 1 Feb. 2024 My hunger – who knew mindful thought burned so many calories? – didn’t abate until after a hearty, if slightly cardboard-tasting, vegan burrito at Farmer and the Cook, the city’s best healthy-dining option. Sam McManis, Sacramento Bee, 31 Jan. 2024 But the cramps in her stomach, the fatigue and depression – all easily explained away – never abated for long. David Oliver, USA TODAY, 21 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'abate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English abaten, borrowed from Anglo-French abatre "to strike down, fell, reduce, put an end to," from a-, prefix in transitive verbs (going back to Latin ad- ad-) + batre "to beat," going back to Latin battuere, of uncertain origin

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of abate was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near abate

Cite this Entry

“Abate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abate. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

abate

verb
abated; abating
: to make or become less
the wind abated
abated their prices
abater noun

Legal Definition

abate

verb
abated; abating

transitive verb

1
a
: 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 abateFederal 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.

Etymology

Old French abattre, literally, to knock down, from a-, prefix stressing result + battre to beat

More from Merriam-Webster on abate

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