Abate

/əˈbeɪt/ · verb

Meaning

To lessen (something) in force or intensity; to moderate..

Definitions by Sense

1. To lessen (something) in force or intensity; to moderate.
2. To reduce (something) in amount or size.
3. To lower (something) in price or value.
4. To demolish or level to the ground (a building or other structure).
5. To give no consideration to (something); to treat as an exception.
6. To dull (an edge, point, etc.); to blunt.
7. To make (a writ or other legal document) void; to nullify.
8. To put an end to (a nuisance).

Example Sentences

[Jupiter] whiche by his goodnes as Marcianus ſaieth, abateth the malice of Saturne. Therfore the Poets faine, that he did put his father out of his kingdome, Iſidore writeth as he abateth the malice of the euill Planets, […]

Abate thy rage ſweete knight, Abate thy rage.

By the oft removal of a Wild-ſtock, cutting the ends of the Roots, and diſ-branching ſomewhat of the Head at every change of place, it will greatly abate of its natural wildneſs, and in time bring forth more civil and ingenuous Fruit: […]

And it is to be noted that in the sharpest of his extreme fits he [George Herbert] would often say, 'Lord, abate my great affliction, or increase my patience; but, Lord, I repine not; I am dumb, Lord, before Thee, because Thou doest it.'

In the one period, an hundred and fifty years of peace between the two nations, the habit of being ſubjected to the ſame King, and governed by the ſame maxims, had conſiderably abated old animoſities, and prepared both people for incorporating.

To abate the force of these considerations, an enemy of free discussion may be supposed to say, that there is no necessity for mankind in general to know and understand all that can be said against or for the opinions by philosophers and theologians.

O, Blessed Bean! How often have I ate Whole plates of Thee, my hunger to abate! And thou abatedst it, Thou didst indeed, Thou ever over-satisfying feed!

Thou haſt dominion ouer their power, and when they be exalted & ſet aloft in their waies, thou abateſt their courage, and deſtroyeſt them with thy mighty arme.

Synonyms for abate

Antonyms for abate

Related Words

Word Forms

• abates
• abating
• abated
• no-table-tags
• glossary
• abate
• abatest
• abatedst
• abateth
• -
• abbate
• more abate
• most abate

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

Practice and Learn More

Frequently Asked Questions