ABATE Synonyms: 225 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

abate

verb

ə-ˈbāt

Definition of abate

as in to subside

to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually interest in the author's home abated as her novels waned in popularity

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to reduce

to make smaller in amount, volume, or extent a couple of aspirin should abate the pain

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to abolish

to put an end to by formal action asked the appellate court to abate the lower court's ruling allowing the patient to be removed from life support

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to subtract

to take away (an amount or number) from a total I managed to get the used car dealer to abate $200 from the sticker price

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 The wild swings of recent weeks, driven by waxing and waning hopes for a lasting boost to corporate profits from artificial intelligence, have abated in the past several days. — ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026 The letter didn’t sufficiently abate those (and other) concerns, and the PCSA didn’t reach the floor. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 11 Aug. 2026 And, at least for now, despite the threat of revolt, internal pressure within FIFA appears to have abated. — Aleks Klosok, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026 The family feud in the Beckham household shows no signs of abating. — Alessandra De Tommasi, Vanity Fair, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for abate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for abate

Verb

Though impending rainstorms are likely to make rescue operations more difficult, officials say a previous threat from a lake that had formed on the border between Nepal and Tibet has substantially subsided.

— Robert McGreevy, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Opinion polls gave the king firm backing to stay on for life, however, and the criticism subsided.

— Terje Solsvik, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of subside

Verb

Its movements and squeaks change in response to the person interacting with it, giving caregivers another way to reduce distress and encourage engagement.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
For instance, a creditor might bid $35,000 for a $50,000 SUV, reducing the judgment by that amount, then sell it for $50,000, pocketing $15,000.

— Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of reduce

Verb

While his party debates abolishing prisons and owning grocery stores, Democratic Mayor Daniel Lurie is cleaning up his city.

— Kate Andrews, Washington Post, 27 Aug. 2026
Alabama has since abolished judicial override, the practice that allowed judges to order the state to kill a person even though a jury of one’s peers requested otherwise.

— Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of abolish

Verb

That’s after excluding wealth from the top 1% of households, subtracting debts and other liabilities, and deducting retirement spending, charitable donations, taxes, and fees.

— Jason Ma, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026
The two moves subtract the best talents from the worst team in Major League Soccer.

— Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of subtract

Verb

This annual launch window systematically overshadows events like IFA Berlin, depriving mid-range Android devices of crucial media attention.

— Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
Perpetuals never expire, negating the need to roll contracts and depriving exchanges of a lucrative revenue stream.

— Oliver Renick, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of deprive

Verb

Travel data shows the average group size for trips has decreased since COVID-19 began.

— Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
To continue decreasing the vacancy rate, Center City Partners has focused on older buildings that aren’t as appealing to a return-to-office workforce That focus is on renovations or conversions.

— Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of decrease

Verb

That includes prohibiting the construction of AI data centers in rural Texas neighborhoods, reducing the impacts of data centers on local communities, and repealing sales tax exemptions and other incentives.

— Jack Fink, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026
According to correspondence reviewed by ProPublica, the Joint Staff disagreed with the Army acting secretary, who said in a February 2025 memo that the program was redundant and recommended Congress repeal the law that set it in motion.

— Megan Rose, ProPublica, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of repeal

Verb

That’s after excluding wealth from the top 1% of households, subtracting debts and other liabilities, and deducting retirement spending, charitable donations, taxes, and fees.

— Jason Ma, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026
Selberg will retain the same health insurance coverage for a year and Collierville will deduct from his severance payments.

— Corey Davis, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of deduct

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abasing

abate

abated

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“Abate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abate. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of abate

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