repeal

[ ri-peel ]

verb (used with object)

1. to revoke or withdraw formally or officially:

   to repeal a grant.

2. to revoke or annul (a law, tax, duty, etc.) by express legislative enactment; abrogate.

   Synonyms: invalidate, rescind, abolish, nullify

noun

1. the act of repealing; revocation; abrogation.

repeal

¹

/ rɪˈpiːl /

verb

1. to annul or rescind officially (something previously ordered); revoke

   these laws were repealed

2. obsolete.
   to call back (a person) from exile

noun

1. an instance or the process of repealing; annulment

Repeal

²

/ rɪˈpiːl /

noun

1. (esp in the 19th century) the proposed dissolution of the Union between Great Britain and Ireland

Derived Forms

• reˈpealable, adjective
• reˈpealer, noun

Other Words From

• re·peala·bili·ty re·peala·ble·ness noun
• re·peala·ble adjective
• re·pealer noun
• nonre·peala·ble adjective
• unre·peala·bili·ty noun
• unre·peala·ble adjective
• unre·pealed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of repeal¹

1275–1325; Middle English repelen < Anglo-French repeler, equivalent to re- re- + ( a ) peler to appeal

Word History and Origins

Origin of repeal¹

C14: from Old French repeler , from re- + apeler to call, appeal

Example Sentences

The first was 2017’s Measure H, a quarter-cent sales tax now repealed and replaced by Measure A, which will generate twice the funds.

From Los Angeles Times

But a full-scale repeal of Biden’s 2022 energy law could run into resistance from Republicans in Congress, because much of the program’s spending has flowed into GOP districts.

From Los Angeles Times

He said Trump’s win could lead to the repeal of the Inflation Reduction Act, which he described as “the single most important legislation to date anywhere in the world to reduce greenhouse gases.”

From Los Angeles Times

In Nebraska, voters also chose to repeal a school voucher program that the Legislature had passed.

From Los Angeles Times

Project 2025 calls for a repeal of the nation’s dietary guidelines on the grounds that they’ve gone astray by considering the environmental impact of food production.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• abolish
• abrogate
• annul
• cancel
• dismantle
• invalidate
• lift
• nullify
• rescind
• reverse
• revoke
• set aside
• void
• wipe out
• withdraw