revocation

[ rev-uh-key-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act of revoking; annulment.
2. Law. nullification or withdrawal, especially of an offer to contract.

revocation

/ ˌrɛvəˈkeɪʃən; ˈrɛvəkətərɪ; -trɪ /

noun

1. the act of revoking or state of being revoked; cancellation
2. 1. the cancellation or annulment of a legal instrument, esp a will
   2. the withdrawal of an offer, power of attorney, etc

Derived Forms

• revocatory, adjective

Other Words From

• rev·o·ca·tive [rev, -, uh, -key-tiv, ri-, vok, -, uh, -], rev·o·ca·to·ry [rev, -, uh, -k, uh, -tawr-ee, -tohr-ee], adjective
• nonrev·o·cation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of revocation¹

1375–1425; late Middle English revocacion < Latin revocātiōn- (stem of revocātiō ) a calling back, equivalent to revocāt ( us ) (past participle of revocāre to revoke ) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

However, the California Department of Public Health said it has the authority to resolve such cases with other actions, “such as an appeal or settlement, that may not include immediate licensure suspension or revocation actions.”

From Los Angeles Times

It had therefore not sought permission from the Home Office to have a temporary revocation of Hosein's deportation order.

From BBC

He also filed a complaint with the Justice Department’s Inspector General alleging the revocation was retaliation against a whistleblower.

From Seattle Times

Calhoun’s early release was conditional — and subject to revocation if he violated his release terms.

From Seattle Times

Legislation signed in 2021 created a program for funding revocation enforcement teams.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• abrogation
• cancellation
• repeal

More About Revocation

What does revocation mean?

Revocation is the withdrawal or cancellation of something.

Revocation is a noun form of the verb revoke, which means to take back, withdraw, or cancel. Revoke and revocation are typically used in the context of officially taking back or cancelling some kind of right, status, or privilege that has already been given or approved. Passports and laws are subject to revocation, for example.

In the context of law, revocation typically refers to the withdrawal of an offer or the nullification of a legal contract like a will.

Example: The revocation of your privileges was a consequence of your repeated rule violations.

Where does revocation come from?

The first records of the word revocation come from around 1400. It ultimately derives from the Latin verb revocāre, which means “to call back” or “to withdraw” and is a combination of re-, meaning “back” or “again,” and vocāre, “to call.” Vocāre is also the root of words like invoke, evoke, and provoke.

A right or privilege has to have been granted or approved in the first place before it can be called back or revoked. Revocation is often used in a legal context to refer to certain rights or credentials being taken away, such as a driver’s license. Revocation of a person’s access or status can happen as a punishment for breaking the rules or for other reasons. The same thing goes when revocation happens in less official or less serious contexts. For example, a parent’s revocation of a kid’s screen time might be done as punishment.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms of revocation?

• revoke (verb)
• revocatory (adjective)
• revocative (adjective)

What are some synonyms for revocation?

• cancellation
• nullification
• annulment
• withdrawal
• repeal

What are some words that share a root or word element with revocation? 

 

• revocable
• irrevocable
• evoke
• provoke
• invoke
• voice

What are some words that often get used in discussing revocation?

 

• credentials
• license
• passport
• right
• status
• privilege
• law

 

How is revocation used in real life?

Revocation is typically used in serious and official contexts.

CNN has sued the Trump administration for revoking Jim Acosta's press credentials. "The wrongful revocation of these credentials violates CNN and Acosta’s First Amendment rights of freedom of the press." https://t.co/hU2LpAA1r4

— HuffPost (@HuffPost) November 13, 2018

Effective Friday, Aspen businesses are required to close at midnight and are subject to license revocation if they are found not requiring customers to wear masks in their establishments.https://t.co/jbvh2Y0U1P pic.twitter.com/HBDeHOnh5B

— Aspen Times (@TheAspenTimes) July 2, 2020

After threatening revocation of special privileges if India bows to US pressure on Iran oil imports, Iran Embassy softens stand, says it "understands" New Delhi's challenges, @janusmyth reports https://t.co/yDc2DhkMI3

— Suhasini Haidar (@suhasinih) July 12, 2018

 

 

Try using revocation!

Which of the following words is NOT a synonym of revocation?

1. reversal
2. nullification
3. reward
4. cancellation