abate feelings

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "abate feelings" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used in contexts where one is trying to reduce or lessen emotional responses or sentiments. Example: "To improve the situation, we need to find ways to abate feelings of resentment among team members."

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Experiences of previously having a former preterm-born child may help parents abate feelings of stress and worry.

BMC Nursing

In addition to calming parents by helping them with their childrearing tasks, the intervention nurse helped parents abate feelings of anxiety.

BMC Nursing

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Having a weapon in their hands helps abate their feelings of powerlessness in the face of normal life.

Huffington Post

We rely on drugs and alcohol to abate that feeling, to stop the whirring of the brain.

Huffington Post

He felt as if he had been singled out for doom, and the only thing that made that feeling abate was to step between the cars to breathe the cold tunnel air.

The New York Times

Prior to seeking deferred consent for the first few times, CATCH practitioners were apprehensive, although their feelings abated with experience of talking to parents about CATCH.

BMJ Open

That feeling abated once she began meeting with others at Twinless Twins.

The New York Times

Some of that feeling abated with the end of the war, and when workers at Triumph raised the money for a memorial to their 66 colleagues who were killed in the war, it was Mr Bettmann who unveiled it.

BBC

These feelings do not abate with experience, but rather expand.

The Guardian - Books

The hard feelings have not abated, although it is clear that the clergy does not speak with one voice.

The New York Times

Sometimes focusing on the externals -- the napkins, the dress, the food -- can temporarily abate the grief, fear, and sense of feeling out of control.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to express a reduction in the intensity of emotions, consider more common alternatives like "reduce", "lessen", or "alleviate" to enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "abate feelings" in informal contexts; it can sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for more natural expressions like "calm down" or "feel better" depending on the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "abate feelings" functions as a verb phrase where "abate" (verb) acts upon "feelings" (noun). It describes the action of reducing or lessening the intensity of emotions, as seen in Ludwig's examples where it refers to calming anxiety or stress. While grammatically acceptable, Ludwig suggests that this phrase is not the most common choice.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "abate feelings" aims to describe the reduction in the intensity of emotions, as confirmed by Ludwig's analysis. Although grammatically sound, it's not a commonly used expression, with more frequent alternatives such as "reduce emotional distress" or "alleviate emotions" being preferred. Predominantly found in scientific and news-related contexts, its register is neutral, suitable for objective discussions on emotional states. As Ludwig highlights, while the phrase is acceptable, more common alternatives often provide better clarity and naturalness in expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

diminish emotions

Replaces "abate" with the synonym "diminish" and "feelings" with the broader term "emotions".

alleviate emotions

Uses "alleviate", suggesting a lessening of the intensity of emotions.

lessen anxieties

Focuses specifically on reducing feelings of anxiety.

reduce emotional distress

More formal and clinical, referring to the lessening of emotional suffering.

mitigate negative emotions

Highlights the reduction of unwanted or harmful feelings.

soothe feelings

Implies a gentle calming or easing of feelings.

appease worries

Specifically addresses the reduction of worries and concerns.

temper emotional responses

Focuses on controlling or moderating emotional reactions.

dampen enthusiasm

Refers to reducing excitement or eagerness.

curtail sentiments

More formal and reserved, suggesting a limiting of expressed feelings.

FAQs

What does "abate feelings" mean?

The phrase "abate feelings" means to reduce the intensity or strength of emotions. It suggests a lessening or calming of feelings such as anxiety, stress, or worry.

What can I say instead of "abate feelings"?

You can use alternatives like "reduce emotional distress", "alleviate emotions", or "diminish emotions" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "abate feelings"?

While grammatically correct, "abate feelings" isn't as common as other alternatives. It's better to use more common phrases like "reduce", "lessen", or "alleviate" to convey the same meaning.

How can I use "abate feelings" in a sentence?

You can use "abate feelings" in sentences like: "Experiences of previously having a former preterm-born child may help parents "abate feelings" of stress and worry." However, consider using more common alternatives for better clarity.