Abate

abate

Verb

UK: /əˈbeɪt/

US: /əˈbeɪt/

Definition and Examples

▶️ To become less strong or decrease

Example: The storm began to abate, and the sun started to shine.

• Explanation: In this sentence, "abate" means the storm became less strong.

Example: When the noise abated, the baby finally fell asleep.

• Explanation: Here, "abated" means the noise decreased, and it was quieter.

▶️ To become less intense or widespread

Example: As the storm's intensity abated, residents began to assess the damage.

• Explanation: In this sentence, "abated" means the storm's intensity decreased, allowing residents to start checking the damage.

Example: The pain in his leg finally abated after he took the medication.

• Explanation: Here, "abated" means the pain decreased after he took the medication.

Detailed Look at Usage

When describing something becoming less strong or decreasing:

☑️Example: The teacher waited for the excitement to abate before starting the lesson.

• Subject: The teacher
• Predicate: waited for the excitement to abate before starting the lesson
  • "waited" (verb)
  • "for the excitement to abate" (infinitive phrase indicating the reason)
    • "for" (preposition)
    • "the excitement to abate" (noun phrase with an infinitive verb)
      • "the excitement" (subject of the infinitive)
      • "to abate" (infinitive verb)
  • "before starting the lesson" (prepositional phrase indicating when)
    • "before" (preposition)
    • "starting the lesson" (gerund phrase)

☑️Example: As the rain abated, they decided to go outside and play.

• Subject: As the rain abated
• Predicate: they decided to go outside and play
• "As the rain abated" (dependent clause indicating the condition)
  • "As" (conjunction)
  • "the rain abated" (clause)
    • "the rain" (subject)
    • "abated" (verb)
• "they decided to go outside and play" (independent clause)
• "they" (subject)
• "decided" (verb)
• "to go outside and play" (infinitive phrase)

When describing something becoming less intense or widespread:

☑️Example: The windstorm abated, and the rescue teams were able to begin their work.

• Subject: The windstorm
• Predicate: abated, and the rescue teams were able to begin their work
  • "abated" (verb)
  • "and the rescue teams were able to begin their work" (independent clause indicating the result)
    • "and" (conjunction)
    • "the rescue teams" (subject)
    • "were able to begin their work" (verb phrase)

☑️Example: Once the excitement abated, they could discuss the issue calmly.

• Subject: Once the excitement abated
• Predicate: they could discuss the issue calmly
• "Once the excitement abated" (dependent clause indicating the condition)
  • "Once" (conjunction)
  • "the excitement abated" (clause)
    • "the excitement" (subject)
    • "abated" (verb)
• "they could discuss the issue calmly" (independent clause)
• "they" (subject)
• "could discuss" (verb phrase)
• "the issue calmly" (direct object with an adverb)

When describing reducing something:

☑️Example: The government hopes to abate the high unemployment rate with new policies.

• Subject: The government
• Predicate: hopes to abate the high unemployment rate with new policies
  • "hopes" (verb)
  • "to abate the high unemployment rate with new policies" (infinitive phrase indicating intention)
    • "to abate" (infinitive verb)
    • "the high unemployment rate" (direct object)
    • "with new policies" (prepositional phrase indicating the means)

☑️Example: Measures were taken to abate the noise from the construction site.

• Subject: Measures
• Predicate: were taken to abate the noise from the construction site
  • "were taken" (verb phrase)
  • "to abate the noise from the construction site" (infinitive phrase indicating purpose)
    • "to abate" (infinitive verb)
    • "the noise from the construction site" (direct object with a prepositional phrase)
      • "the noise" (direct object)
      • "from the construction site" (prepositional phrase)

More Examples

☑️Example: The wind abated, allowing them to put up the tent.

• Subject: The wind
• Predicate: abated, allowing them to put up the tent
  • "abated" (verb)
  • "allowing them to put up the tent" (participial phrase indicating the result)
    • "allowing" (verb)
    • "them to put up the tent" (infinitive phrase)
      • "them" (direct object)
      • "to put up the tent" (infinitive verb phrase)

☑️Example: Once the laughter abated, the teacher continued the lesson.

• Subject: Once the laughter abated
• Predicate: the teacher continued the lesson
• "Once the laughter abated" (dependent clause indicating the condition)
  • "Once" (conjunction)
  • "the laughter abated" (clause)
    • "the laughter" (subject)
    • "abated" (verb)
• "the teacher continued the lesson" (independent clause)
• "the teacher" (subject)
• "continued" (verb)
• "the lesson" (direct object)

☑️Example: The police presence helped to abate the tensions in the neighborhood.

• Subject: The police presence
• Predicate: helped to abate the tensions in the neighborhood
  • "helped" (verb)
  • "to abate the tensions in the neighborhood" (infinitive phrase indicating the result)
    • "to abate" (infinitive verb)
    • "the tensions in the neighborhood" (direct object with a prepositional phrase)
      • "the tensions" (direct object)
      • "in the neighborhood" (prepositional phrase)

☑️Example: As the floodwaters abated, the town began the cleanup process.

• Subject: As the floodwaters abated
• Predicate: the town began the cleanup process
  • "As the floodwaters abated" (dependent clause indicating the condition)
    • "As" (conjunction)
    • "the floodwaters abated" (clause)
      • "the floodwaters" (subject)
      • "abated" (verb)
  • "the town began the cleanup process" (independent clause)
    • "the town" (subject)
    • "began" (verb)
    • "the cleanup process" (direct object)

Synonyms & Similar Words

Decrease Lessen Diminish Reduce Subside

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Increase Intensify Strengthen Rise Grow