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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 This year, the district was considering abating about $98,150, which would have been a savings of about $2 to $3 per household, Superintendent Dan Bridges said. Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2025 Back in Kolkata, the noise has started to abate on the Maidan. Rory Smith, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025 Policymakers also expect inflation to edge up in 2025 before abating the following year. Alain Sherter, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2025 The new entity would be run by a board appointed by state governments, and its mission will be to abate the opioid crisis that has been linked to hundreds of thousands of deaths in the U.S. since OxyContin hit the market in 1996. arkansasonline.com, 20 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for abate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abate
Verb
  • The swelling in the area never subsided, prompting surgery to clean up bone spurs that had traveled dangerously close to his Achilles tendon.
    Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 1 Apr. 2025
  • The rain, expected to begin late Sunday, will subside by Monday afternoon, but below-average temperatures will hang around all week, according to the National Weather Service.
    Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Standardization can also reduce due diligence burdens.
    The Sorenson Impact Institute, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Higher temperatures may also reduce the sugar content of maple sap, meaning producers will need to collect and boil more sap to produce the same quantities of syrup.
    Nina Foster, JSTOR Daily, 28 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves (R.) has signed legislation to abolish the state’s income tax.
    Douglas Carswell, National Review, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Democrats who previously demanded that the Senate abolish the filibuster are now furious that the party didn’t use it.
    Editorial, Boston Herald, 31 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Calculate your current net worth by listing your assets and subtracting your liabilities.
    Melissa Houston, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
  • Projections are that this will amount to $139 million to be subtracted from the overall 2% funding for K-12 public schools.
    Dr. Tony Lux, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Jones also said a change of venue would deprive him and the families of the other victims of the opportunity of watching the trial in person.
    Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 1 Apr. 2025
  • The nightmare lasted for one week as the group restrained the man while beating him with a metal bat and depriving him of food and water, according to court documents.
    Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 1 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • However, their wage bills only decreased by 28 per cent.
    Matt Slater, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2025
  • In terms of a mechanism, the rejection seems to decrease levels of a neuropeptide in the brain, which increases after mating, leading Heberlein et al.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 2 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Following Trump’s April 2 speech, McConnell kept his promise to Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine and voted for his Senate resolution to repeal the emergency declaration that allowed Trump to place tariffs on Canada.
    Meredith Kile, People.com, 3 Apr. 2025
  • The site currently gives a 5 percent chance that Trump will either sign a bill into law aiming to repeal or alter the 22nd Amendment, or that the Supreme Court will rule in a way that allows a president to serve more than two terms by July 31, 2025.
    Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Medved will need to seek comparable employment and any amounts earned in subsequent employment will be deducted from the termination fee.
    Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 25 Mar. 2025
  • For Southern California Edison customers, a $56 credit that will be automatically deducted from residential electric bills.
    Rob Nikolewski, Oc Register, 25 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Abate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abate. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.

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