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Repeal
To revoke, annul, or officially cancel a law, regulation, or decree.
verb💡
Imagine This
Imagine a government council voting to strike a law from the books. A large legal document is stamped with 'REPEALED' in bold red letters, then torn from a wall and discarded as the crowd cheers.
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Sounds Like
ri-PEEL, rhymes with 'appeal'
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Looks Like
Looks like 'repel' with an extra 'a'; visually similar to 'appeal'.
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Remember This
Repealing a law is the formal process of undoing it. It frequently appears in political debates about whether to repeal or enact new regulations.
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Other Forms
repealnoun
repealedverb
repealingverb
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Connect With
revoke, rescind, annul, cancel, invalidate, abolish, overturn
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Note
Don't confuse with 'repel' (to drive away) or 'repeat' (to say again). Repeal specifically means to cancel a law or regulation.
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Study Deeper
Examples
- The legislature voted to repeal the outdated tax statute.
- Public outcry led to the repeal of the controversial regulation.
Synonyms
revokerescindannulabolishnullify
Antonyms
enactestablishpreserve
Etymology
From Old French repeler, from Latin repellere 'to drive back; push away'; the sense evolved to mean cancel or invalidate a law.
Mnemonic
Remove Every Prescribed Edict And Legislation — remember that repeal means taking a law off the books.
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Foment
verbTo stir up, incite, or foster the growth of something, especially trouble, unrest, or rebellion.
Reconcile
verbTo restore friendly relations between people or groups; to settle differences and bring something into harmony or agreement, such as reconciling accounts.
Baleful
adjectiveDestructive; harmful; threatening or showing the intention to cause harm.
Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Abolish
verbTo formally end or repeal a system, practice, or institution; to officially put an end to something established.
Abandon
verbTo give up completely, to desert or leave behind, or to relinquish a claim, plan, or responsibility.
Abate
verbTo decrease in amount or intensity; to reduce or end something.
Abridge
verbTo shorten (a text, speech, or other work) by omitting parts; to condense.
Abscond
verbTo depart secretly or flee, especially to avoid detection or arrest.
Absolve
verbTo free someone from blame or responsibility; to pardon or exonerate.
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