Skip to main content
to abate

to abate

23 6.8
To become less strong or severe and to make something do the same
  • verb
  • /əˈbeɪt/
translation icon : disminuir
  • But within a short time, as twilight approached, the rain abated, becoming a gentle evening mist.
  • abate pollution
  • abate the hazard
  • abate the risk

Basically anything that helps abate their insecurity.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • But as the economic recovery began, the sense of crisis abated in some countries.

    Academic text (2011)
  • As soon as these winds abate, we'll have the helicopters up running search patterns.

  • And that is good because when supply chain issues abate, prices can go down.

  • In the next couple of weeks the pain should abate, then one more operation.

  • So that is not going to abate anytime soon.

  • The headache would abate a little bit.

  • And do you think its present surge will abate anytime soon?

  • I think that anger has abated over time.

  • The fierce competition for readers should abate as the most established, best-organized papers emerge.

    Academic text (1993)
  • As the storm passed, the wind began to abate, allowing us to go outside again.

Synonyms

to weaken
vsto abate
305 2.8

To make people and things less strong or effective

is about lowering severity or intensity rather than only general strength
to diminish
vsto abate
201 3.7

To become less in size, importance, or value

is about lowering intensity or severity rather than physical size
to reduce
vsto abate
162 2.1

To make something weaker or in a worse state

refers to natural or gradual easing, not necessarily forced reduction
to dwindle
vsto abate
72 5.1

To become smaller or less in number over time

stresses steady shrinking over time instead of a rapid decrease
to ease up
vsto abate
57 3.7

To make something less strong or strict

tends to suggest relaxation of rules rather than pure intensity change
to let up
vsto abate
54 3.8

To become less strong, especially for bad weather, pain, or pressure

usually applies to relief from unpleasantness rather than neutral change
to wane
vsto abate
48 6.4

To become less in size, amount, or strength

implies a gradual decline over time rather than sudden easing
to dissipate
vsto abate
48 6.8

To make something spread out and disappear, for example fog or tension

involves spreading out to vanish rather than a simple intensity drop
to die down
vsto abate
46 2.7

To become less strong or loud over time

is the general easing of intensity rather than complete disappearance
to tone down
vsto abate
44 3.7

To make something less strong, for example a sound, color or feeling

is mainly about softening style or language rather than general severity
to evaporate
vsto abate
38 4.1

Gradually become less strong until a feeling is gone

emphasizes complete loss rather than partial or temporary reduction
to lessen
vsto abate
34 2.8

To make something smaller in amount or strength

focuses on reduction in seriousness or intensity rather than exact quantity
to recede
vsto abate
29 4.8

To move back or become less strong

describes retreat or withdrawal rather than a simple intensity drop
to defuse
vsto abate
29 4.5

Make a tense or dangerous situation calmer

focuses specifically on lowering tension or danger rather than general intensity
to dampen
vsto abate
16 4.4

Make something less strong or noticeable, for example sound and feeling

often focuses on softening effect rather than reducing overall severity
to dial back
vsto abate
14 4.1

Make something, like a taste, sound, or plan, less strong

suggests deliberate reduction rather than natural easing or fading
to allay
vsto abate
14 6.9

To make fear, anger, or worry less strong

is about general reduction in strength or severity beyond just emotions
to ease off
vsto abate
9 4.0

To become gradually less strong or severe

often implies temporary reduction rather than full removal of intensity
to attenuate
vsto abate
9 7.9

To make something weaker, like sound or light

focuses on reduction in severity or intensity rather than material thickness
to die away
vsto abate
8 4.2

To become quieter and then stop

highlights eventual end or fading rather than a short reduction
to tamp down
vsto abate
5 5.7

Reduce the strength of feelings or public anger

implies deliberate suppression rather than a passive lessening
to dial down
vsto abate
4 4.1

To make a feeling, sound, or action less strong

emphasizes intentional, often gradual reduction rather than sudden change
to deaden
vsto abate
3 5.5

To make a feeling, sound, or pain less strong

tends to mean numbing or dulling feeling rather than easing severity
to whittle away
vsto abate
3 5.9

To make something smaller gradually by cutting or wearing it away

focuses on slow chipping away rather than quick or natural easing
to slack off
vsto abate
  • Informal
3 3.9

To become less strong or busy

focuses on dropping intensity rather than implying laziness or neglect
to dwindle away
vsto abate
1 4.6

Slowly get smaller in number or amount until nothing remains

signals full disappearance rather than merely a partial reduction
to remit
vsto abate
  • Specialized
1 7.3

To become less strong or less tight

often suggests an official pause or temporary easing rather than broad decline
diminished
vsto abate
  • Specialized
4.4

Smaller in size, strength or importance

refers to the ongoing process of becoming less strong or severe
lessened
vsto abate
2.1

Smaller in amount, degree, or strength

describes the ongoing decrease rather than the finished state
to de-escalate
vsto abate
5.6

To make a conflict or tense situation less dangerous and calmer

applies mainly to conflicts or crises rather than neutral changes

Antonyms

110 4.0

Make something stronger or more intense

How Much

to cease
324 3.6
to ease
305 2.1
to subside
47 4.8
to abate
23 6.8
to diminish
201 3.7

Surface Forms

abate infinitive
abated past
abated past participle
abating present participle
abates third person singular

Etymology

The word abate comes from an old French word that meant 'to beat down' and is like the English word beat. So to abate something is to 'beat down' its strength and make it less strong.