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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 For taxpayers who missed payroll or excise tax deposit deadlines between February 15, 2025, and March 3, 2025, penalties will be abated as long as deposits are made by March 3, 2025. Mark Davis, Newsweek, 15 Mar. 2025 In 2021, the Kansas City City Council approved a tax incentive package for the project, abating 75% of its property tax bill for 10 years and then 37.5% for 15 more. Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 1 Mar. 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for abate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abate
Verb
  • While the threat of more tornadoes has subsided in the Great Plains, fire danger remains elevated Monday in the region.
    Ginger Zee, ABC News, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Inflation, which went wild post-Covid, subsided in February, according to data yesterday that gave markets a brief reprieve.
    Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 13 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • 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
  • Standardization can also reduce due diligence burdens.
    The Sorenson Impact Institute, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • France belatedly abolished slavery in 1848 in its remaining colonies of Martinique, Guadeloupe, Réunion and French Guyana, which are still territories of France today.
    Marlene L. Daut, The Conversation, 16 Apr. 2025
  • The Legislature eliminated parole for nearly everyone imprisoned for crimes committed after Aug. 1, making Louisiana the 17th state in a half-century to abolish parole altogether and the first in 24 years to do so.
    Richard A. Webster, ProPublica, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Johnson and Reno passed the track between them, each working separately, adding and subtracting small pieces.
    Tom Roland, Billboard, 8 Apr. 2025
  • This translates to a dramatic reduction in opportunities for walk-on players, and likely subtracting other spots, too.
    Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Market Abuse Americans argue that China abused its global market access: stealing intellectual property, supporting strategic industries, manipulating its currency and depriving foreign companies—especially those from the U.S.—of fair access to Chinese markets.
    David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Khalil's attorneys, who have also sued the government on his behalf, lambasted the government, saying the government was depriving him of his right to free speech.
    Katrina Kaufman, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • And the over-all number of abortions in the U.S. may eventually decrease as a result of Dobbs.
    Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
  • On the other hand, just 5 percent said tariffs would decrease prices in the short term, and 30 percent said the policy would lower prices in the long term.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The program also receives about 5% of its revenue from interest generated by its trust funds and about 4% of its revenue from the tax that Trump wants to repeal.
    Dennis W. Jansen, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2025
  • The Maryland Freedom Caucus has repeatedly called these initiatives unworkable and asked to repeal these devastating mandates.
    Ryan Nawrocki, Baltimore Sun, 13 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • In Texas, for example, members of the state House and Senate have filed legislation that would prohibit state payroll systems from being used to automatically deduct union dues.
    Patrick Gleason, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Barker and the business owner — who pleaded guilty in February on charges in a separate indictment — agreed to deduct the true cost of the supplies from the fraudulent invoices and split the rest between them, according to the indictment.
    Natalie Demaree, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Abate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abate. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

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