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Word a Day

abate

verb · /əˈbeɪt/ · Level 3 · Advanced

What does abate mean?

abate (verb): to lessen (something) in force or intensity; to moderate.

Definition: Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.

How do you pronounce abate?

/əˈbeɪt/ (IPA, American English). The app reads every word aloud.

Where does abate come from?

From Middle English abaten, from Anglo-Norman abatre, from Late Latin abbattere, from Latin battere.

Etymology: Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Words related to abate

From Princeton WordNet 3.1.

Test yourself: do you know “abate”?

Tap an answer to check it. The same questions the app asks.

What does “abate” mean?

to walk through water or something that impedes progress

Not quite: that's what wade means.

to frighten, terrify, startle, especially in a minor way

Not quite: that's what scare means.

search without warning, make a sudden surprise attack on

Not quite: that's what raid means.

to lessen (something) in force or intensity; to moderate

Right! That's what “abate” means.

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