to bate
1
9.9
- verb
- /beɪt/
- Archaic
- The world waits with bated breath as Amelia flies solo across the Atlantic Ocean.
- with bated breath
Examples
-
We listened to the live radio coverage with bated breath, waiting for news.
Blog text (24) -
Hopefully you've been watching the Burn Studios Residency documentary series with bated breath over the last few weeks.
Blog text (25) -
Both men wait with bated breath for a response.
Fiction book (1995) -
But maybe not with bated breath.
Academic text (2009) -
We'll be waiting with bated breath.
Fiction book (1998) -
We watched with bated breath, some of us literally on the edge of our seats.
Fiction book (1995) -
Tragic situation, and of course this is affecting the state and the entire country as we wait with bated breath.
-
The University Press is waiting with bated breath for your next dispatch of wisdom.
Blog text (12) -
I'm sure they'll be waiting with bated breath for your assessment when I get back.
Fiction book (1997) -
We all waited with bated breath as the results of the competition were announced.
Synonyms
132
4.1
To become less strong in feeling or interest
58
2.5
Feel less angry or excited
41
4.4
Make something less strong or noticeable, for example sound and feeling
40
4.2
Make a feeling or action less strong
22
6.8
To become less strong or severe and to make something do the same
11
5.7
Reduce the strength of feelings or public anger
Antonyms
How Intense
Surface Forms
Etymology
The word bate, meaning 'to restrain or lessen', is related to abate, which came from an old idea of making something lower or less. So, to bate your anger or excitement is to hold it back or make it smaller.