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Some common synonyms of abate<\/em> are ebb<\/em><\/a>, subside<\/em><\/a>, and wane<\/em><\/a>. While all these words mean \"to die down in force or intensity,\" abate<\/em> stresses the idea of progressive diminishing.<\/p>

\/\/ the storm abated<\/em><\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Where would 'ebb' be a reasonable alternative to 'abate'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The words ebb<\/em><\/a> and abate<\/em> can be used in similar contexts, but ebb<\/em> suggests the receding of something (such as the tide) that commonly comes and goes.<\/p>

\/\/ the ebbing<\/em> of daylight<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is it sensible to use 'subside' instead of 'abate'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

Although the words subside<\/em><\/a> and abate<\/em> have much in common, subside<\/em> implies the ceasing of turbulence or agitation.<\/p>

\/\/ the protests subsided<\/em> after a few days<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "In what contexts can 'wane' take the place of 'abate'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The synonyms wane<\/em><\/a> and abate<\/em> are sometimes interchangeable, but wane<\/em> suggests the fading or weakening of something good or impressive.<\/p>

\/\/ waning<\/em> enthusiasm<\/p>" } } ] }

abate

verb

É™-ˈbāt How to pronounce abate (audio)
Definition of abatenext
1
as in to subside
to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually interest in the author's home abated as her novels waned in popularity

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to reduce
to make smaller in amount, volume, or extent a couple of aspirin should abate the pain

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to abolish
to put an end to by formal action asked the appellate court to abate the lower court's ruling allowing the patient to be removed from life support

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to subtract
to take away (an amount or number) from a total I managed to get the used car dealer to abate $200 from the sticker price

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to deprive
to take something away from recurring problems could not abate her of her enthusiasm for the project

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word abate distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of abate are ebb, subside, and wane. While all these words mean "to die down in force or intensity," abate stresses the idea of progressive diminishing.

the storm abated

Where would ebb be a reasonable alternative to abate?

The words ebb and abate can be used in similar contexts, but ebb suggests the receding of something (such as the tide) that commonly comes and goes.

the ebbing of daylight

When is it sensible to use subside instead of abate?

Although the words subside and abate have much in common, subside implies the ceasing of turbulence or agitation.

the protests subsided after a few days

In what contexts can wane take the place of abate?

The synonyms wane and abate are sometimes interchangeable, but wane suggests the fading or weakening of something good or impressive.

waning enthusiasm

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of abate While countless music documentaries about hundreds of artists have been made in the decade since streaming took hold, the appetite for them does not seem to be abating and Netflix has produced dozens of them. —Jem Aswad, Variety, 20 Mar. 2026 In addition to thwarting complications, glues and netting can also abate bruising and swelling after facelift surgery, curtailing patients’ recovery. —Jolene Edgar, Allure, 16 Mar. 2026 The cross-border clashes mark the deadliest fighting between neighbors, showing no signs of abating despite ceasefire efforts by China and Turkey. —Munir Ahmed, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2026 Two participants mentioned that their depression had abated completely. —Clayton Dalton, New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for abate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abate
  1. subside
  2. reduce
  3. abolish
  4. subtract
  5. deprive
  6. decrease
  7. repeal
  8. deduct
Verb
  • My awe had barely subsided when, two minutes later, James got the ball, raced just past the free-throw line, and took flight.
    — Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2026
  • And that dispute has not subsided.
    — James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026
Definition of subside
Verb
  • To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned environments.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 24 Mar. 2026
  • Gold has been one of the better-performing assets over the past year, and when markets get choppy, leveraged funds and institutional investors tend to reduce exposure.
    — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 24 Mar. 2026
Definition of reduce
Verb
  • Calls to abolish the bases have been raised previously, particularly when they are used for military action in the region.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Mar. 2026
  • The program is funded by $2 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funding, which the county is using to abolish millions in medical debt for thousands of residents across the county.
    — Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 23 Mar. 2026
Definition of abolish
Verb
  • Credits are subtracted directly from the taxpayer’s tax bill.
    — Zach Halaschak, The Washington Examiner, 18 Mar. 2026
  • As expected, Central Catholic (22-3) looked to subtract the center from the game, and did to a degree of success early.
    — Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 16 Mar. 2026
Definition of subtract
Verb
  • While there’s some truth to each assessment, maintaining that cloudy lens will only deprive you of stellar dining opportunities.
    — Wilder Davies, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 Mar. 2026
  • This deprived the state treasurer of huge assets that otherwise could have been invested to generate billions of dollars in revenue over those seven decades.
    — Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 11 Mar. 2026
Definition of deprive
Verb
  • Declining spring precipitation and rising temperatures have caused the Colorado’s flow to decrease by nearly 20 percent over the past quarter century.
    — Mira Rojanasakul, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026
  • After the 15th Street bike lanes were constructed, bicycle injury crashes decreased by 91 percent, according to the District Department of Transportation.
    — Liam Scott, Washington Post, 20 Mar. 2026
Definition of decrease
Verb
  • The November ballot might also include two citizens initiatives — one that would repeal the city’s new trash fee for single-family homes and another that would repeal new parking fees.
    — David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Mar. 2026
  • Should the Jones Act be permanently repealed, fuel prices would fall more steeply.
    — Christopher Niezrecki, The Conversation, 19 Mar. 2026
Definition of repeal
Verb
  • Under the plan, homeowners would be allowed to deduct the full cost of the insurance premiums for their primary residence on their state taxes, Assemblymember Kate Sanchez, R-Rancho Santa Margarita, said.
    — Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 23 Mar. 2026
  • Tips deduction How much may filers deduct?
    — Jeanne Sahadi, CNN Money, 21 Mar. 2026
Definition of deduct

Browse Nearby Words

abasing
abate
abated
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Cite this Entry

“Abate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abate. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of abate for Spanish Speakers

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