Word
abate
Phoneticsabate
US/əˈbeɪt/
UK/ɐbˈeɪt/
Definitions
01to become less strong
C1 · Advanced Formal
v. to become less strong or intense, like a storm or a loud noise.
v. to decrease in force or intensity; to subside. Often used intransitively regarding weather phenomena or emotional states.
日本語:和らぐ、弱まる※
“We waited in the house for the storm to abate before driving home.”
“The fury of the gale began to abate toward dawn, allowing rescue teams to assess the damage to the coastal defenses.”
02to reduce something
C1 · Advanced Formal
v. to make something less, such as a tax, a problem, or a noise.
v. to lessen or reduce something in amount, degree, or intensity. Transitive use.
“The new laws were designed to abate the smoke and noise from the factory.”
“The city council implemented several measures to abate the rising levels of noise pollution in the historic district.”
03legal ending
C2 · Proficiency Law Formal · Technical
v. to stop or end a legal case or a public problem.
v. to nullify a writ, end a nuisance, or terminate legal proceedings. Often used in technical legal contexts.
“The judge decided to abate the legal proceedings due to a technical error.”
“The lawsuit was abated following the death of the defendant, as the cause of action did not survive against the estate.”
Teaching tip
This sense is highly technical; learners will mostly encounter it in formal legal documents or news reports about court cases.
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “abate” in context.
Verb
01. abate somewhat
“The public outcry has abated somewhat since the company issued an apology.”
verb + adv
02. slowly abate
“The floodwaters began to slowly abate after three days of dry weather.”
adv + verb
Noun
03. fury abated
“His initial fury abated once he realized the mistake was unintentional.”
noun + verb
04. noise abated
“The construction noise finally abated, allowing the residents to sleep.”
noun + verb
05. storm abated
“We waited in the cabin until the storm abated and the winds died down.”
noun + verb
06. symptoms abated
“The patient was discharged after her symptoms abated significantly.”
noun + verb
Usage
The verb is primarily intransitive, though it has a transitive sense in legal contexts meaning to nullify or end a nuisance.
Word family
VERB
ADJECTIVE
Related words
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0