abatement
7 synonyms and 2 antonyms for abatement, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A reduction in the amount, degree or intensity of something, especially something unwanted such as noise, pollution or tax.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
A reduction in the amount, degree or intensity of something, especially something unwanted such as noise, pollution or tax.
“The council ordered noise abatement measures after complaints from neighbours.”
Opposites
2. noun
The legally required removal or containment of a hazard from a building or site.
“Asbestos abatement added three months to the renovation schedule.”
How to Use Abatement
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Formal. Common in law, tax, property and environmental contexts rather than everyday speech.
Etymology
From Old French abatre 'to beat down, put an end to', from Latin ad- 'to' + battuere 'to beat'.
Full origin of abatement →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between abatement and reduction?
Reduction is the general word for making something smaller in any context. Abatement is narrower and more formal: it usually describes cutting back something undesirable, such as noise, pollution or a tax bill, and it often carries a legal or official sense.
What does tax abatement mean?
A tax abatement is an official reduction or cancellation of tax owed, usually granted for a fixed period. Cities often offer them to encourage building work or to attract businesses to an area.
Is asbestos abatement the same as asbestos removal?
Not quite. Removal is one form of abatement, but abatement also covers sealing or enclosing asbestos so that fibres cannot escape. Any method that stops the hazard counts as abatement.