The difference between Abate and Lessen

When used as verbs, abate means to put an end to, whereas lessen means to make less.


Abate is also noun with the meaning: abatement.

check bellow for the other definitions of Abate and Lessen

  1. Abate as a verb (transitive, obsolete, outside, law):

    To put an end to; to cause to cease.

    Examples:

    "to abate a nuisance"

  2. Abate as a verb (intransitive):

    To become null and void.

    Examples:

    "The writ has abated."

  3. Abate as a verb (transitive, legal):

    To nullify; make void.

    Examples:

    "to abate a writ"

  4. Abate as a verb (transitive, obsolete):

    To humble; to lower in status; to bring someone down physically or mentally.

  5. Abate as a verb (intransitive, obsolete):

    To be humbled; to be brought down physically or mentally.

  6. Abate as a verb (transitive, obsolete):

    To curtail; to deprive.

    Examples:

    "Order restrictions and prohibitions to abate an emergency situation."

  7. Abate as a verb (transitive):

    To reduce in amount, size, or value.

    Examples:

    "Legacies are liable to be abated entirely or in proportion, upon a deficiency of assets."

  8. Abate as a verb (intransitive):

    To decrease in size, value, or amount.

  9. Abate as a verb (transitive):

    To moderate; to lessen in force, intensity, to subside.

  10. Abate as a verb (intransitive):

    To decrease in intensity or force; to subside.

  11. Abate as a verb (transitive):

    To deduct or omit.

    Examples:

    "We will abate this price from the total."

  12. Abate as a verb (transitive):

    To bar or except.

  13. Abate as a verb (transitive):

    To cut away or hammer down, in such a way as to leave a figure in relief, as a sculpture, or in metalwork.

  14. Abate as a verb (transitive, obsolete):

    To dull the edge or point of; to blunt.

  15. Abate as a verb (transitive, archaic):

    To destroy, or level to the ground.

  1. Abate as a noun:

    abatement.

  1. Abate as a verb (intransitive, law):

    to enter a tenement without permission after the owner has died and before the heir takes possession.

  1. Abate as a noun:

    an Italian abbot, or other member of the clergy.

  1. Lessen as a verb (transitive):

    To make less; to diminish; to reduce.

  2. Lessen as a verb (intransitive):

    To become less.