Abolish — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /ə-ˈbä-lish/ abol·ish

Meaning & Definition of Abolish

Abolish (verb)

  1. to end the observance or effect of (something, such as a law), to completely do away with (something), annul

Abolish (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to put an end to by formal action

    "the U.S. abolished slavery by constitutional amendment on December 6, 1865"

    similar: abate, abrogate, annul, avoid, cancel, disannul, dissolve, invalidate, negate, null, nullify, quash, repeal, rescind, roll back, strike down, vacate, void, do away with, set aside
    related: countermand, override, overrule, overturn, veto, abort, call, call off, drop, recall, retract, reverse, revoke, suspend, withdraw, ban, enjoin, forbid, outlaw, prohibit, disallow, dismiss, reject, annihilate, break down, eliminate, eradicate, erase, liquidate, remove, throw out, write off
    near: enact, lay down, legislate, establish, found, institute, formalize, legalize, legitimate, legitimize, validate, pass, ratify, allow, approve, authorize, clear, endorse, permit, sanction, warrant, command, decree, mandate, order, prescribe

  2. to destroy all traces of

    "if only there were a way that we could abolish hatred and intolerance"

    similar: annihilate, black out, blot out, cancel, clean (up), efface, eradicate, erase, expunge, exterminate, extirpate, liquidate, obliterate, root (out), rub out, snuff (out), stamp (out), sweep (away), wipe out
    related: decimate, demolish, destroy, devastate, ravage, dismantle, flatten, mow (down), raze, tear down, ruin, total, waste, wreck, blast, blow up, dash, dynamite, smash, atomize, consume, devour, dissolve, fragment, powder, pulverize, shatter, splinter, doom, finish, kill, kill off, terminate, zap, cut, discard, ditch, eject, excise, expel, jettison, oust, throw out
    near: conserve, preserve, protect, save, build, construct, create, fabricate, fashion, forge, form, frame, make, manufacture, shape, fix, mend, patch, rebuild, recondition, reconstruct, renew, renovate, repair, restore, revamp

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Abolish

The most common words with a similar meaning to Abolish:

abate, abrogate, annul, avoid, cancel, disannul, dissolve, invalidate, negate, null, nullify, quash, repeal, rescind, roll back, strike down, vacate, void, annihilate, black out, blot out, clean (up), efface, eradicate, erase, expunge, exterminate, extirpate, liquidate, obliterate, root (out), rub out, snuff (out), stamp (out), sweep (away), wipe out, do away with, set aside

Related Words for Abolish

countermand, override, overrule, overturn, veto, abort, call, call off, drop, recall, retract, reverse, revoke, suspend, withdraw, ban, enjoin, forbid, outlaw, prohibit, disallow, dismiss, reject, break down, eliminate, remove, throw out, write off, decimate, demolish

Near Antonyms of Abolish

enact, lay down, legislate, establish, found, institute, formalize, legalize, legitimate, legitimize, validate, pass, ratify, allow, approve, authorize, clear, endorse, permit, sanction, warrant, command, decree, mandate, order, prescribe, conserve, preserve, protect, save

Word Forms of Abolish

Inflections: abolished, abolishing, abolishes

Derived words: abolishable (adjective), abolisher (noun), abolishment (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Abolish

Middle English abolysshen, borrowed from Middle French aboliss-, stem of abolir "to abolish," borrowed from Latin abolēre "to destroy, efface, put an end to," perhaps formed from abolēscere "to shrivel up, be effaced, fall into disuse," from ab- ab- + -ol-, medial form of the base of alere "to nourish, bring up" + -ēsc-, inchoative suffix old:1

First known use: 15th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Abolish

Frequently Asked Questions about Abolish

What does "Abolish" mean?

"Abolish" means to end the observance or effect of (something, such as a law), to completely do away with (something), annul. As a verb, it is defined as: to end the observance or effect of (something, such as a law), to completely do away with (something), annul. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Abolish"?

Other words for "Abolish" include abate, abrogate, annul, avoid, cancel, disannul, dissolve and invalidate. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Abolish" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Abolish"?

There are 107 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Abolish". Common alternatives include abate, abrogate, annul, avoid, cancel, disannul, dissolve, invalidate, negate and null.

How do you use "Abolish" in a sentence?

Examples of "Abolish" in a sentence: "the U.S. abolished slavery by constitutional amendment on December 6, 1865"; "if only there were a way that we could abolish hatred and intolerance".

Is "Abolish" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Abolish" is a verb.

Is "Abolish" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Abolish" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Abolish"?

"Abolish" is pronounced /ə-ˈbä-lish/ and divided into syllables as abol·ish.

What is the origin of the word "Abolish"?

"Abolish" comes from Middle English abolysshen, borrowed from Middle French aboliss-, stem of abolir "to abolish," borrowed from Latin abolēre "to destroy, efface, put an end to," perhaps formed from abolēscere "to shrivel up, be effaced, fall into disuse," from ab- ab- + -ol-, medial form of the base of alere "to nourish, bring up" + -ēsc-, inchoative suffix old:1. First known use: 15th century.