Understanding the Verb ‘Abate’ for Your GRE Vocabulary
This video explores the meaning, usage, and examples of the verb ‘abate’, which means to become less intense, widespread, or severe. Learn how to use this useful word in your GRE vocabulary and avoid common mistakes in its application.
Imagine you’re stuck in a terrible traffic jam, inching forward at a snail’s pace. Suddenly, the congestion starts to lessen, and cars begin moving more freely.
What you’re experiencing is the abatement of traffic. Today, we’re exploring the word abate, a useful term for your GRE vocabulary arsenal.
Let’s begin with the basics. Abate is pronounced as uh-beyt.
Word type: Abate functions primarily as a verb.
Meaning: To abate means to become less intense, widespread, or severe. It can also mean to decrease, reduce, or diminish in strength or intensity.
Word history: The word abate has an interesting history. It entered the English language in the fourteenth century, derived from the Old French abattre, meaning to beat down or demolish.
This, in turn, came from the Late Latin abattere, formed by combining ab, meaning away, and battere, to beat.
Antonyms: Some antonyms of abate include increase, intensify, grow, and escalate.
Synonyms: Synonyms for abate include subside, diminish, decrease, lessen, wane, and dwindle.
Examples use in sentences: Let’s look at some examples to better understand how to use abate in context.
The storm finally began to abate after raging for hours, bringing relief to the worried coastal residents.
The doctor hoped that the patient’s fever would abate with the new medication. As the election drew nearer, the tension between the two political parties showed no signs of abating.
The noise from the construction site usually abates by evening, allowing the neighbors to enjoy some peace and quiet.
Common errors in use: One common mistake when using abate is confusing it with bait. While they sound similar, bait means to lure or entice, which is entirely different from abate.
Another error is using abate as a noun. Remember, abate is primarily a verb. The noun form is abatement.
Lastly, some people mistakenly use abate when they mean rebate. A rebate is a partial refund, while abate means to lessen or diminish.
To wrap up, abate is a powerful word that describes the lessening or reduction of something, be it a storm, a fever, or even traffic.
By understanding its meaning, origins, and proper usage, you’ve added a valuable word to your GRE vocabulary.
Next time you notice something decreasing in intensity, remember, you’re witnessing it abate.
