English Files

ABATE

verb
\ ə-ˈbāt \
abat​ed; abat​ing

Collegiate Definition
intransitive ​verb
1: to decrease in force or intensity
waiting for the storm to abate

2a: 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
1a: to put an end to
abate a nuisance

b: NULLIFY sense 1
abate a writ

2a: 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

4a: to beat down or cut away so as to leave a figure in relief
bobsolete : BLUNT

5: DEPRIVE sense 1

Other Words
abat​er noun

Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
de-escalate, decline, decrease, die (away or down or out), diminish, drain (away), drop (off), dwindle, ease, ebb, fall, fall away, lessen, let up, lower, moderate, pall, phase down, ratchet (down) also rachet ​(down), recede, relent, remit, shrink, subside, taper, taper off, wane

Antonyms
accumulate, balloon, build, burgeon (also bourgeon), enlarge, escalate, expand, grow, increase, intensify, mount, mushroom, pick up, rise, snowball, soar, swell, wax

Examples
We waited for the wind to abate.

interest in the author's home abated as her novels waned in popularity

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

History and 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

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