The difference between Abate and Soften

When used as verbs, abate means to put an end to, whereas soften means to make something soft or softer.


Abate is also noun with the meaning: abatement.

check bellow for the other definitions of Abate and Soften

  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. Soften as a verb (transitive):

    To make something soft or softer.

    Examples:

    "Soften the butter before beating in the sugar."

  2. Soften as a verb (transitive):

    To undermine the morale of someone (often soften up).

    Examples:

    "Before the invasion, we softened up the enemy with the artillery."

  3. Soften as a verb (transitive):

    To make less harsh

    Examples:

    "Having second thoughts, I softened my criticism."

  4. Soften as a verb (intransitive):

    To become soft or softer

    Examples:

    "The butter softened as it warmed up."