Word
abated
Phoneticsabat·ed
US/əˈbeɪtɪd/
UK/ɐbˈeɪtɪd/
Definitions
01became less strong
v. to have become less strong, loud, or violent.
v. to have decreased in force or intensity; used intransitively to describe the subsiding of natural or emotional forces.
“The storm finally abated after midnight, and the winds became quiet.”
“The torrential rain only abated once the cold front had fully passed through the valley, allowing emergency crews to assess the flood damage.”
Formal
Antonyms
02humbled or weakened
adj. feeling less proud or having less power than before.
adj. reduced in status, pride, or intensity; often used in literary contexts to describe a person's spirit.
“He stood with an abated spirit after losing the long argument.”
“The once-mighty king appeared with abated pride before the council, his influence clearly withered by years of political exile.”
Literary
Teaching tip
This adjectival use is rare in modern speech; learners will mostly encounter it in 19th-century literature or poetry.
Synonyms
03cut away
adj. describes a pattern where the background has been cut away to make the design stand out.
adj. referring to a surface where the background is lowered or carved out to leave a pattern in relief.
“The artist showed us the abated stone where the letters were carved.”
“The craftsman used a fine chisel to create an abated background, ensuring the silver inscription remained bright against the textured metal.”
Technical
Antonyms
Usage
Intransitive in its most common sense; does not take a direct object.
Real-World Examples
“The seizures abated and disappeared, said Charlotte, except for a week in 2023 during a temporary supply glitch.”