abate
C1Formal to neutral; common in written and technical contexts, less frequent in casual speech.
Definition
Meaning
to become less strong or intense; to reduce in degree or intensity.
Used metaphorically for the reduction of anything forceful or negative, such as legal actions, noise, storms, pain, or enthusiasm.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily denotes a process of gradual reduction. Often implies a welcome decrease of something unpleasant. Can be transitive or intransitive.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. The term is equally formal in both varieties.
Connotations
Slightly more common in UK legal and official contexts (e.g., 'abatement of a nuisance'), but the distinction is minor.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in both varieties; slightly higher in UK legal/parliamentary language.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[S] The storm abated.[S V O] They took measures to abate the noise.[S V prep] The crisis abated in intensity.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “abate one's enthusiasm”
- “wait for the storm to abate”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in reports: 'Consumer demand is expected to abate in Q4.'
Academic
Used in social sciences: 'Public hostility toward the policy began to abate after the reforms.'
Everyday
Used formally: 'We waited for the rain to abate before leaving.'
Technical
Common in legal, meteorological, and medical contexts: 'The injunction sought the abatement of the nuisance.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The gale finally abated at dawn.
- The council ordered the landlord to abate the nuisance.
American English
- The storm should abate by evening.
- The judge refused to abate the charges.
adverb
British English
- N/A (Rarely derived; 'abatedly' is obsolete.)
American English
- N/A (Rarely derived; 'abatedly' is obsolete.)
adjective
British English
- N/A (No standard adjectival form in use)
American English
- N/A (No standard adjectival form in use)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The heavy rain began to abate.
- Her headache slowly abated after she took the medicine.
- Public anger over the scandal did not abate for weeks.
- Measures were introduced to abate the industrial pollution.
- The court granted an injunction for the abatement of the noise nuisance.
- Investor enthusiasm has abated somewhat following the quarterly report.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'A BAIT' – imagine the intensity of your interest in fishing BAIT gradually decreases (abates) as you get tired.
Conceptual Metaphor
STORM/WEATHER (Intensity as a storm that can subside); FIRE (Intensity as a fire that can die down).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'уменьшать' for simple, active reduction. 'Abate' implies an intransitive, gradual, often natural process. 'Ослабевать' or 'стихать' are closer conceptual fits.
Common Mistakes
- Using it for a sudden stop ('The car abated' is wrong). Incorrect prepositions ('abate of' instead of 'abate in'). Overuse in casual contexts where 'die down' or 'let up' is more natural.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'abate' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is considered formal or neutral-formal. In everyday conversation, people more often say 'die down', 'let up', or 'calm down'.
Yes, though less commonly. The transitive use is often found in legal or official contexts, e.g., 'to abate a nuisance' or 'to abate taxes'.
The primary noun form is 'abatement', as in 'noise abatement' or 'tax abatement'.
They are very close synonyms. 'Abate' can sound slightly more formal or technical. 'Subside' is very common for physical things like swelling or land sinking, while 'abate' is strong for storms, emotions, and legal contexts.