abate

pronunciation

How to pronounce abate in British English: UK [əˈbeɪt] word uk audio image

How to pronounce abate in American English: US [əˈbeɪt] word us audio image

Verb:

make less active or intense
become less in amount or intensity

Word Origin

abate (v.): c. 1300, "put an end to;" early 14c., "to grow less, diminish in power or influence," from Old French abattre "beat down, cast down," from Vulgar Latin *abbatere, from Latin ad "to" (see ad-) + battuere "to beat" (see batter (v.)). Secondary sense of "to fell, slaughter" is in abatis and abattoir. Related: Abated; abating.

Synonym

vt.

put to end decrease abolish an with stop reduce lessen moderate do curtail away

Antonym

vt. & vi.

increase raise augment rise strengthen

Example

1. Li 's drive did not abate abroad .

2. The demands of the north will not abate .

3. These headwinds are now beginning to abate but it may be another four years before they fully subside .

4. Sterling has recently been strong , which will help to abate inflationary pressures .

5. Prolonged israeli shelling and air strikes have killed dozens of gazans , both militants and bystanders , but done nothing to abate the qassams .

more: >How to Use "abate" with Example Sentences