Definitions
- Referring to a decrease in intensity or severity of something. - Describing the subsiding or lessening of a storm, wind, or other natural phenomena. - Talking about the reduction or removal of a problem, obstacle, or threat.
- Referring to a decrease in strength, power, or force. - Describing the loss of vitality, energy, or health. - Talking about the diminishing or lessening of an argument, position, or belief.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words describe a decrease or reduction in something.
- 2Both words can be used to describe physical or abstract concepts.
- 3Both words imply a change from a stronger or more intense state to a weaker or less intense state.
What is the difference?
- 1Intensity: Abate implies a decrease in intensity or severity, while weaken implies a decrease in strength or power.
- 2Cause: Abate often refers to a natural or external cause for the decrease, while weaken can refer to internal or external factors.
- 3Scope: Abate can refer to a specific problem or issue, while weaken can refer to a broader range of concepts.
- 4Connotation: Abate has a neutral or positive connotation, while weaken can have a negative connotation.
- 5Usage: Abate is more commonly used in legal or technical contexts, while weaken is more commonly used in everyday language.
Remember this!
Abate and weaken are synonyms that both describe a decrease or reduction in something. However, abate implies a decrease in intensity or severity, often due to external causes, while weaken implies a decrease in strength or power, which can be caused by internal or external factors. Additionally, abate is more commonly used in legal or technical contexts, while weaken is more commonly used in everyday language.
