abate Hear it!

abate Definition

abate (ə bāt)

transitive verb abat·ed, abat·ing

  1. to make less in amount, degree, force, etc.
  2. to deduct
  3. Law to put a stop to (a suit or action), end (a nuisance), etc.; terminate

Etymology: ME abaten < OFr abattre, to beat down: see a- & batter

intransitive verb

to become less in amount, degree, force, etc.; diminish

abate Related Forms
abat·able adjective abat·er noun or Lawaba·tor-ər, -ôr
abate Synonyms

abate

v.

  1. To make less

    reduce, lower, lighten; see decrease 2.

  2. To grow less

    lessen, decline, diminish; see decrease 1, wane. See syn. study atwane.

abate Law Definition

v

To end, eliminate, do away with, or make null and void.

v

To diminish, decrease, or lessen in degree or amount.

n

The reduction of a bequest or devise made in a will because the combined value of all bequests and devises, and/or the debts owed by a testator, exceed the assets in the testator’s estate.

n

The rebate or reduction of taxes already assessed and/or paid.
abate Usage Examples

Object

  • nuisance: I worked up the PM on the subject of trying to abate the nuisance by reprisals on small German towns.
  • emission: The Forum is also keen to try to identify further sensible measures that could abate emissions from the sector.
  • rain: For the last race, the rain never abated, the wind moved round to the North, and the temperature dropped.
  • wind: However as the weather front moved through the wind abated and with it came sunshine and a changing wind direction.
  • nothing: The pace was just as fast, the two seasoned athletes abating nothing of their fire.
  • noise: The Court held that the words required the taking of measures to abate low frequency noise from the lift.

Subject

  • time: The previous evening there had been a violent storm which had only partly abated by the time that the young explorer left home.

Preposition: within

  • hour: The patient on VFX experienced severe restlessness ( akathisia ) which abated within hours of restarting the drug.

Noun phrase with adjective complement

  • due: Even where this is the case, departments should consider abating any future payments due to the recipient of the overpayment.

Modifying Another Word

  • somewhat: Presumably Steve thinks the current freezing conditions will have abated somewhat by August.
  • gradually: As we crossed over the mountains that run down the center of Upolu and headed toward the southern coast the rain gradually abated.
  • slightly: The wind had abated slightly with gusts coming down the river at a mere thirty five miles per hour.
  • never: March 21st, 2006 The BBC greed never abates!
  • much: The swollen stream had abated and the stream at the entrance was much abated so in we went.
  • not: The threat of further terror strikes in the capital has not abated.

Preposition: in

  • year: Sadly the competition was extremely tough and we see no signs of this abating in the year to come.
  • future: Evidence from the demand side suggests that there is little sign of this trend abating in the immediate future.

Preposition: with

  • time: Whether this zeal will abate with time, is yet a question.

Preposition: for

  • while: This lead to the release of Parnell and the anger that surrounded the land issue in Ireland abated for a while.

Preposition: by

  • time: The previous evening there had been a violent storm which had only partly abated by the time that the young explorer left home.

Browse dictionary entries near abate

  1. abash
  2. abasement
  3. abase
  4. abandonment
  5. abandonee
  6. abandoned property
  7. abandoned
  8. abandon
  9. abalone
  10. abaft
  1. abatement
  2. abatement clause
  3. abatis
  4. abator
  5. abattoir
  6. abaxial
  7. abbé
  8. abba
  9. abbacy
  10. Abbassid