abolish

[ uh-bol-ish ]

verb (used with object)

1. to do away with; put an end to; annul; make void:

   to abolish slavery.

   Synonyms: eliminate, extirpate, exterminate, extinguish, obliterate, annihilate, cancel, nullify, suppress

   Antonyms: establish

abolish

/ əˈbɒlɪʃ /

verb

1. tr to do away with (laws, regulations, customs, etc); put an end to

Derived Forms

• aˈbolisher, noun
• aˈbolishable, adjective
• aˈbolishment, noun

Other Words From

• a·bolish·a·ble adjective
• a·bolish·er noun
• a·bolish·ment noun
• una·bolish·a·ble adjective
• una·bolished adjective
• well-a·bolished adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of abolish¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Middle French aboliss-, long stem of abolir, from Latin abolēre “to destroy, efface”

Word History and Origins

Origin of abolish¹

C15: from Old French aboliss- (lengthened stem of abolir ), ultimately from Latin abolēre to destroy

Synonym Study

Abolish, eradicate, stamp out mean to do away completely with something. To abolish is to cause to cease, often by a summary order: to abolish a requirement. Stamp out implies forcibly making an end to something considered undesirable or harmful: to stamp out the opium traffic. Eradicate (literally, to tear out by the roots ), a formal word, suggests extirpation, leaving no vestige or trace: to eradicate all use of child labor.

Example Sentences

Trump downsized monuments in the West during his first term, and some conservative groups are calling on Congress to abolish the Antiquities Act, the 1906 law that allows presidents to designate national monuments.

From Los Angeles Times

Trump will likely abolish the Department of Education and federal education funding will switch to block grants to the states, which many will use to fund school voucher programs.

From Salon

Constitution abolished slavery in 1865 through the 13th Amendment — but with a provision that allows slavery as criminal punishment.

From Los Angeles Times

"There is a huge threat, but just saying: 'Let’s abolish AI' is not going to work - there are too many countries and people invested," he told the BBC.

From BBC

Although IPP sentences have since been abolished and Lawrence's minimum term was just eight months, he has no idea when or if he will be released on parole.

From BBC

Related Words

• abrogate
• annul
• cancel
• dissolve
• eradicate
• nullify
• overthrow
• overturn
• prohibit
• put an end to
• repeal
• rescind
• revoke
• set aside
• stamp out
• suppress
• terminate
• wipe out