What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
abating
Example
The storm is finally abating, and the winds are dying down. [abating: verb]
Example
After taking some medication, the pain in my leg started abating. [abating: gerund or present participle]
subsiding
Example
The waves were subsiding, and the sea was becoming calmer. [subsiding: verb]
Example
After icing my ankle, the swelling started subsiding. [subsiding: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Subsiding is more commonly used than abating in everyday language. Subsiding is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while abating is less common and is typically used in more formal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between abating and subsiding?
Abating is more formal than subsiding, which is more commonly used in informal contexts. However, both words can be used in various formality levels depending on the context.
