abating

USAGE SUMMARY

'abating' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It can be used to describe the diminishing intensity or magnitude of something like a sound, feeling, emotion, or influence such as: The sound of the rain abated as the storm moved away.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

All of which suggests that the success of coffee shops in places like Brighton and Hove has been driven not by marketing but by consumer demand – and that shows no sign of abating.

The Guardian

The civil war, which shows no signs of abating, has cost the lives of more than 200,000 people; left nine million internally displaced and 3.8 million seeking refuge in neighbouring countries.

The Guardian

Importantly, for the long-term Democratic coalition, there was no sign in the exit polls that the Democratic appeal for young voters was abating among those who turned 18 over the past four years: those 18-24 year-old were just as likely to support the president as the 25-29 year-olds.

The Guardian - Opinion

The row between Usain Bolt and the Times over whether he called the Commonwealth Games "a bit shit" shows no sign of abating – with the newspaper insisting they stand by the story "100%" and Bolt calling it "nonsense".

The Guardian - Sport

There's no sign of it abating.

The Guardian

They show no sign of abating, even as techniques to thwart them have improved.

The Economist

Fed by ideology, opportunity and the ready availability of frustrated young men holding their lives cheap the conflagration shows no signs of abating or lessening in its depravity.

The Economist

If the outbreak is abating, though, it is too soon to be complacent.

The Economist

The story of a gale abating just before the start, the exact pacing by his friends, the head-back, eyes-shut finish and his collapse are vividly told in both accounts, though Mr Bascomb's florid narrative suits the race itself better.

The Economist

See articleThe political turmoil in Thailand showed little sign of abating, despite the resignation of Yingluck Shinawatra as prime minister.

The Economist

In February he agreed to yet another ceasefire but the conflict shows little sign of abating.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "abating" to describe the lessening of something negative, such as pain, a storm, or conflict. For example, "The storm showed no sign of abating."

Common error

Avoid using "abating" when you mean something is completely finished. "Abating" implies a reduction in intensity, not a complete cessation.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "abating" is as a verb, specifically a present participle or gerund. It is used to describe the action of something decreasing in intensity or strength, as confirmed by Ludwig and its examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "abating" functions as a verb used to describe the process of something decreasing in intensity or severity. As indicated by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and finds common usage in neutral to professional contexts, particularly within news and media. It's often employed to depict a lessening of negative circumstances, such as conflicts or storms. While various alternatives exist, like "subsiding" or "diminishing", it's important to distinguish "abating" from terms that imply complete cessation rather than a reduction in intensity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

subsiding

Focuses on the gradual lessening of something, often used for physical phenomena like water or storms.

diminishing

Highlights a gradual reduction in size, importance, or intensity.

lessening

Emphasizes a decrease in amount, degree, or severity.

easing

Suggests a reduction in pressure, tension, or pain.

waning

Implies a decline in power, influence, or vigor, often used metaphorically.

receding

Describes something moving back or away, often used for water or hairlines.

declining

Indicates a downward trend or a decrease in quantity or quality.

mitigating

Focuses on reducing the severity or impact of something negative.

alleviating

Similar to mitigating but often used in the context of suffering or distress.

tapering off

Describes a gradual decrease, often used for activity or intensity over time.

FAQs

How to use "abating" in a sentence?

You can use "abating" to describe something that is diminishing or decreasing in intensity, such as "The storm showed no signs of abating" or "The pain in my leg is finally abating".

What can I say instead of "abating"?

You can use alternatives like "subsiding", "diminishing", or "lessening" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "abating" or "abetting"?

The correct word depends on the context. "Abating" means decreasing or diminishing, while "abetting" means encouraging or assisting someone to commit a crime. For example, "The storm is abating", but "He was charged with abetting a criminal".

What's the difference between "abating" and "alleviating"?

"Abating" generally refers to a reduction in intensity or strength, while "alleviating" refers specifically to making suffering or a problem less severe. You might say "The floodwaters are abating", or "The medicine is alleviating my headache".