What does "abate" mean?

1. (to become less strong) to become less strong or intense, like a storm or a loud noise. 2. (to reduce something) to make something less, such as a tax, a problem, or a noise. 3. (legal ending) to stop or end a legal case or a public problem.

abate

US //əˈbeɪt// UK //ɐbˈeɪt// abate

1 to become less strong (v.)
C1 Advanced Formal

to become less strong or intense, like a storm or a loud noise.

to decrease in force or intensity; to subside. Often used intransitively regarding weather phenomena or emotional states.

Example

We waited in the house for the storm to abate before driving home.

Example

The fury of the gale began to abate toward dawn, allowing rescue teams to assess the damage to the coastal defenses.
- intensify
- increase
2 to reduce something (v.)
C1 Advanced Formal

to make something less, such as a tax, a problem, or a noise.

to lessen or reduce something in amount, degree, or intensity. Transitive use.

Example

The new laws were designed to abate the smoke and noise from the factory.

Example

The city council implemented several measures to abate the rising levels of noise pollution in the historic district.
- aggravate
- prolong

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3 legal ending (v.)
C2 Proficiency Formal Technical Law

to stop or end a legal case or a public problem.

to nullify a writ, end a nuisance, or terminate legal proceedings. Often used in technical legal contexts.

Example

The judge decided to abate the legal proceedings due to a technical error.

Example

The lawsuit was abated following the death of the defendant, as the cause of action did not survive against the estate.

Teacher's tip

This sense is highly technical; learners will mostly encounter it in formal legal documents or news reports about court cases.
- continue
- uphold

Usage

The verb is primarily intransitive, though it has a transitive sense in legal contexts meaning to nullify or end a nuisance.