abate

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "abate" is correct and usable in written English.
It means to become less in intensity or to diminish over time. For example, "Although the storm was fierce, the wind began to abate after an hour."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But the costs of abatement are uncertain, just as are the costs of failing to abate.

The Economist

Community concern about carbon pricing did abate after its introduction.

The Guardian

No, the prime minister says, because the budget emergency started to abate the instant a government came in and showed that it was determined to address it.

The Guardian

She may then sell her body to survive.Many of these problems would abate if people were richer.

The Economist

Of the 65% of companies surveyed by Point Carbon earlier this year which claimed that the ETS had led them to abate their emissions (up from 15% the previous year), most were planning to buy credits rather than cut their own emissions.

The Economist

But most scholars reckon that the factors behind jihadism will only abate when the region's Muslim-majority societies become prosperous and politically and socially free.

The Economist

Mr Abu Ghaith had warned that a "storm of airplanes will not abate".Stanley Cohen, the defence attorney, tried to persuade the jury that there was no evidence that his client played a major role in al-Qaeda activity.

The Economist

On January 29th David Cameron, the Tory leader, withdrew his party's whip from Mr Conway, who has announced that he will stand down at the next election.Labour MPs are relieved to see the Tories sweat, for allegations of impropriety concerning their own deputy-leadership race last summer are yet to abate.

The Economist

Add to that a burgeoning drugs trade, the presence of up to 15m illegal weapons and an official discourse that justifies violence in pursuit of class warfare, and there seems little doubt that Venezuela's crime wave will not abate anytime soon.

The Economist

If the proposed pipeline followed a different route, Swedish concerns would abate.

The Economist

But since he is an American citizen, he can simply be deported to the United States without undergoing a cumbersome extradition procedure.Nonetheless, Mr Valdez's arrest will soon be forgotten if violence does not abate.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "abate" when you want to describe something becoming gradually less intense or severe. It's often used in contexts related to weather, emotions, or legal matters.

Common error

"Abate" means to lessen or diminish, while "abridge" means to shorten or condense. Avoid using "abate" when you mean to convey the idea of making something shorter.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "abate" is as an intransitive verb, indicating that something is decreasing or subsiding. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. It can also be used transitively, meaning to put an end to something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "abate" is a versatile verb that describes a decrease or reduction in intensity. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and common usage. It's most frequently found in News & Media and, although generally neutral to formal, it can be used in a variety of contexts. When using "abate", consider whether synonyms like "subside" or "diminish" might be more appropriate for your specific context. Remember to avoid confusing it with "abridge", which has a different meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

subside

Focuses on a gradual decrease in intensity or activity, often in the context of natural phenomena or emotions.

diminish

Implies a reduction in size, importance, or intensity.

lessen

Suggests a reduction in amount, degree, or severity.

decrease

Indicates a numerical or measurable reduction.

alleviate

Specifically refers to the reduction of pain, suffering, or difficulty.

mitigate

Emphasizes making something less severe, serious, or painful.

ease

Suggests a reduction in pressure, tension, or discomfort.

wane

Implies a gradual decline in power, prosperity, or intensity.

decline

Indicates a downward trend or deterioration.

recede

Suggests a moving back or away, often used for water levels or emotions.

FAQs

How can I use "abate" in a sentence?

You can use "abate" to describe something that is lessening or diminishing in intensity, such as "The storm's fury began to "abate" after a few hours".

What are some synonyms for "abate"?

Some synonyms for "abate" include "subside", "diminish", "lessen", and "decrease". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "abate" is only used in formal writing?

While "abate" is more common in formal writing, it is perfectly acceptable in neutral contexts as well. Consider the audience and purpose of your communication to determine if a simpler word like "lessen" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "abate" and "alleviate"?

"Abate" means to lessen or reduce in intensity, while "alleviate" specifically refers to easing pain, suffering, or difficulty. Although both involve reduction, "alleviate" is more narrowly focused on reducing negative experiences.