abate

American  

[uh-beyt] / əˈbeɪt /

verb (used with object)

abated, abating

1. to reduce in amount, degree, intensity, etc.; lessen; diminish: to abate one's enthusiasm.

   to abate a tax;

   to abate one's enthusiasm.

   Synonyms:

   weaken, decrease

   Antonyms:

   intensify, increase

2. Law.

   1. to put an end to or suppress (a nuisance).

   2. to suspend or extinguish (an action).

   3. to annul (a writ).

3. to deduct or subtract.

   to abate part of the cost.

4. to omit.

   to abate all mention of names.

5. to remove, as in stone carving, or hammer down, as in metalwork, (a portion of a surface) in order to produce a figure or pattern in low relief.

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verb (used without object)

abated, abating

1. to diminish in intensity, violence, amount, etc.: The pain in his shoulder finally abated.

   The storm has abated.

   The pain in his shoulder finally abated.

   Synonyms:

   subside

   Antonyms:

   intensify, increase

2. Law. to end; become null and void.

abate British  

/ əˈbeɪt /

verb

1. to make or become less in amount, intensity, degree, etc

   the storm has abated

2. (tr) law

   1. to remove, suppress, or terminate (a nuisance)

   2. to suspend or extinguish (a claim or action)

   3. to annul (a writ)

3. (intr) law (of a writ, legal action, etc) to become null and void

4. (tr) to subtract or deduct, as part of a price

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Other Word Forms

• abatable adjective
• abater noun
• unabatable adjective
• unabating adjective
• unabatingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of abate

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Middle French abatre “to beat down,” equivalent to a- a- ⁵ + batre, from Late Latin batere for Latin battuere “to beat”; a- perhaps also understood as a- ³

Example Sentences

I had one halcyon year and then it never really abated.

From The Wall Street Journal

Developments in the region damped sentiment even as U.S. equities benefited as fears from artificial-intelligence disruption abated on Wednesday.

From The Wall Street Journal

Inflation has cooled from its post-pandemic highs, and Barr said it is reasonable to expect tariff effects to begin abating later this year.

From Barron's

Kassam at State Street said he doesn’t expect AI fears to abate.

From The Wall Street Journal

After the hubbub abates, Hudson says the hardest part will be knowing that it will be time to say goodbye to the character and the movie.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• decrease
• diminish
• dwindle
• ebb
• recede
• slacken
• subside
• taper
• wane