abatement

noun

abate·​ment ə-ˈbāt-mənt How to pronounce abatement (audio)
Synonyms of abatement
1
: the act or process of reducing or otherwise abating something
abatement of pollution
: the state of being abated
a storm continuing without abatement [=without weakening]
2
: an amount abated
especially : a deduction from the full amount of a tax
… devised tax credits, refunds, and abatements to benefit private corporations … —William Greider

Synonyms of abatement

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Examples of abatement in a Sentence

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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.
Just know that hiring a professional doesn’t guarantee abatement. — Jamela Adam, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026 Earlier in August, A New Mexico judge ordered Meta to contribute $567 million to an abatement fund as part of a public nuisance case centering on child-safety allegations. — Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026 That work has included disposing of most of the furniture that was in the building and removing old ceiling tiles as part of abatement efforts, Tomlinson said. — Idaho Statesman, 25 Aug. 2026 Developers are requesting a 75% property tax abatement on the site lasting for 25 years. — Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for abatement

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French, from abatre "to abate" + -ment -ment

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of abatement was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing abatement

Rhymes for abatement

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Browse Nearby Words

abate
abatement
abatis
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Cite this Entry

“Abatement.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abatement. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

abatement

noun
abate·​ment ə-ˈbāt-mənt How to pronounce abatement (audio)
1
: the act or process of abating : the state of being abated
2
: an amount abated (as from a tax)

Legal Definition

abatement

noun
abate·​ment ə-ˈbāt-mənt How to pronounce abatement (audio)
1
: the act or process of abating or the state of being abated
challenged the abatement of her bequest
abatement of a private nuisance by self-help—W. L. Prosser and W. P. Keeton
2
: an amount abated : deduction
especially : a deduction from the full amount of a tax

More from Merriam-Webster on abatement

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about abatement

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