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to reduce in amount, degree, intensity, etc.; lessen; diminish:
to abate a tax; to abate one’s enthusiasm.
Law.

to put an end to or suppress (a nuisance).
to suspend or extinguish (an action).
to annul (a writ).

to deduct or subtract:
to abate part of the cost.
to omit:
to abate all mention of names.
to remove, as in stone carving, or hammer down, as in metalwork, (a portion of a surface) in order to produce a figure or pattern in low relief.
to diminish in intensity, violence, amount, etc.:
The storm has abated. The pain in his shoulder finally abated.
Law. to end; become null and void.
Contemporary Examples

There is little sign, of course, that this behavior is abating.
Wanted: Moderate GOP Activists Michael Tomasky January 9, 2013

Unemployment may be abating, but it’s still abnormally high.
5 Economic Predictions to Bank On Charlie Gasparino January 2, 2010

The drug war shows no signs of abating in Mexico and the appetite for drugs in the United States remains high.
Border Patrol Agent’s Death Dubbed Friendly Fire Teresa Puente October 5, 2012

Which means that, in the end, the decade belonged to Christopher Nolan, which shows no sign of abating.
The Superhero Backlash Richard Rushfield June 22, 2011

And yet the idea that putting your convention in a crucial swing state will help you win it shows no signs of abating.
Why a Charlotte Convention Won’t Help the Democrats Ben Adler February 2, 2011

Historical Examples

The gale still held on, however, and we saw no signs of its abating.
Masterpieces of Mystery Various

The wind is abating, madam,—the worst is over; and now to my question.
Sir Jasper Carew Charles James Lever

She opened the door and stood for a moment before stepping into the abating storm.
Tess of the Storm Country Grace Miller White

In the meantime the Queen’s anger was abating, and the trouble was blowing over.
Shakespearean Playhouses Joseph Quincy Adams

But his contempt was abating; he was growing uneasy; Philip was before him as fierce as ever.
The Manxman Hall Caine

verb
to make or become less in amount, intensity, degree, etc: the storm has abated
(transitive) (law)

to remove, suppress, or terminate (a nuisance)
to suspend or extinguish (a claim or action)
to annul (a writ)

(intransitive) (law) (of a writ, legal action, etc) to become null and void
(transitive) to subtract or deduct, as part of a price
v.

“put an end to” (c.1300); “to grow less, diminish in power or influence” (early 14c.), from Old French abattre “beat down, cast down,” from Vulgar Latin *abbatere, from Latin ad “to” (see ad-) + battuere “to beat” (see batter (v.)). Secondary sense of “to fell, slaughter” is in abatis and abattoir. Related: Abated; abating.