# abating

/əˈbeɪtɪŋ/ (US) · /ɐbˈeɪtɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/abating
Updated: 2026-05-01

## Senses

### 1. becoming less strong

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

becoming less strong, less intense, or less active.

For teachers: decreasing in force, intensity, or amount; typically used for weather, emotions, or physical sensations.

- The storm is finally abating, so we can go outside soon.
- With the fever finally abating, the patient began to show signs of recovery, much to the relief of the medical staff.

Usage: Often used in the continuous form to describe weather patterns or physical pain.

### 2. rhetorical softening

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical · Formal

a way of speaking where you add a comment to make a previous statement seem less strong.

For teachers: a rhetorical device, also known as anesis, involving the addition of a concluding sentence or clause that diminishes the effect of what was said before.

- He said the house was beautiful, but then added it was too small, a classic abating.
- The orator employed abating to great effect, praising the policy's intent before systematically dismantling its practical application.

Usage: Used primarily in the study of rhetoric and classical literature.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.