Definition:
v. subside; decrease; become less in amount or intensity
v. reduce in amount or intensity; to put an end to
Example:
Rather than leaving immediately, they waited for the storm to abate.
The outbreak shows no sign of abating, and governments and international organizations were ‘‘far from winning this battle."
Sentence in Classic:
The waves of the great movement abate, and on the calm surface eddies are formed in which float the diplomatists, who imagine that they have caused the floods to abate.
War and Peace(V6) By Leo Tolstoy
ContextThey do not abate one iota of their rights, and for that reason they respect the rights of others; they demand the performance of what is due to them, and for that reason they perform their own duties.
Fathers and Children By Ivan Sergeevich Turgenev
ContextThese were calculated in some degree to abate the dangers of the day; a precaution the more necessary, as the conflict was to be maintained with sharp swords and pointed lances.
The scarlet of her lips had not had time to abate, and just now it appeared still more intense by the absence of the neighbouring and more transient colour of her cheek.
Return of the Native By Thomas Hardy
ContextEvery age wears iron, and we goad the flanks of our oxen with reversed spear; nor does creeping old age weaken our strength of spirit or abate our force.
Because there is no other way of guarding oneself from flatterers except letting men understand that to tell you the truth does not offend you; but when every one may tell you the truth, respect for you abates.
The Prince By Nicolo Machiavelli
Context