Abate/əˈbeɪt/ Definition 1 of 3Pro Tip 1/3Anticipate Improvement Use 'abate' when expressing hope for a situation to become better. The community waited for the storm to abate. Pro Tip 2/3Not Immediate 'Abate' implies a gradual decrease, not an instant stop. The doctor said the swelling should abate over a few days. Pro Tip 3/3Emphasize Reduction Highlight the process of something becoming less in intensity or quantity. They installed soundproof walls to abate the noise from the street.