abating
/əˈbeɪtɪŋ/
VERB
1. Becoming less intense or severe
Gradually becoming weaker, less intense, less severe, or less noticeable in force or effect.
1.1. Weather and natural conditions
Used when storms, winds, rain, heat, or other natural conditions gradually lose their intensity.
Synonyms
- subsiding
- easing
- lessening
- diminishing
- slackening
- letting up
- dying down
Antonyms
- intensifying
- strengthening
- increasing
- escalating
Examples
- The storm was finally abating as the winds grew weaker.
- The heavy rainfall was abating, allowing residents to leave their homes.
Related Words
1.2. Pain, illness, and physical symptoms
Used when pain, fever, inflammation, or other physical symptoms gradually become less severe.
Synonyms
Antonyms
- worsening
- intensifying
- increasing
- aggravating
Examples
- Her fever was abating after several hours of treatment.
- The pain in his knee was gradually abating as he rested.
Related Words
1.3. Emotions and psychological states
Used when fear, anxiety, anger, excitement, panic, or emotional tension gradually becomes less strong.
Synonyms
Antonyms
- intensifying
- heightening
- escalating
- growing
Examples
- The panic among the crowd was abating as the authorities restored order.
- Her anxiety was slowly abating as she became more familiar with the surroundings.
Related Words
1.4. Noise, activity, and public disturbances
Used when noise, commotion, protests, or other disturbances gradually become quieter or less intense.
Synonyms
Antonyms
- intensifying
- increasing
- escalating
- mounting
Examples
- The noise from the construction site was not abating, despite repeated complaints.
- The crowd's excitement was abating, allowing the event to continue.
Related Words
- noise
- commotion
- crowd
- protest
- disturbance
- unrest
VERB
2. Reducing an amount, value, or extent
Gradually decreasing the quantity, size, value, or extent of something, or actively making it smaller or less substantial.
2.1. Quantities, prices, and measurable amounts
Used when an amount, price, level, or measurable quantity is decreasing or being reduced.
Synonyms
- decreasing
- diminishing
- lessening
- reducing
- lowering
- shrinking
- declining
Antonyms
- increasing
- rising
- growing
- expanding
- augmenting
Examples
- The demand for the product was abating as the market became saturated.
- The pressure on household budgets was abating after prices began to fall.
Related Words
2.2. Nuisances and harmful conditions
Used when a nuisance, hazard, or harmful condition is being reduced, controlled, or eliminated.
Synonyms
- mitigating
- alleviating
- reducing
- lessening
- relieving
- removing
Antonyms
- aggravating
- worsening
- intensifying
- increasing
Examples
- The new regulations focused on abating noise pollution in residential areas.
- The company introduced measures aimed at abating the environmental hazards caused by its operations.
Related Words
- nuisance
- hazard
- pollution
- risk
- remediation
- prevention
2.3. Legal obligations and restrictions
Used in legal or administrative contexts when an obligation, charge, penalty, restriction, or legal impediment is reduced, waived, or brought to an end.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Examples
- The court considered whether the penalty should be abating under the applicable legal provisions.
- The proposed measure was intended to abate certain fees imposed on small businesses.