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YOUR VOCABULARY, ONE WORD AT A TIME

abate

Verb

IPA /əˈbeɪt/

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Meaning in plain English

To become less strong or severe, especially when something unpleasant has been happening for a while.

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Pronunciation

abate/əˈbeɪt/

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Examples in context

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  1. We waited indoors for the strong wind to abate.
  2. The pressure began to abate once we submitted the final report.

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To become less strong or severe, especially when something unpleasant has been happening for a while.

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We waited indoors for the strong wind to ________.
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abate — To become less strong or severe, especially when something unpleasant has been happening for a while.

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To become less strong or severe, especially when something unpleasant has been happening for a while.

Compare: We waited indoors for the strong wind to abate.

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Word origin

From Old French abatre, meaning to knock down or fell, ultimately linked to a Latin verb meaning to beat.

Did you know?

The form abating loses the final e: the noise is abating.

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abate

/əˈbeɪt/ (Verb)

“Abate is formal. Use it for things such as storms, pain or anger becoming less intense.”

englishskillstudio.com