abolish

verb

abol·​ish ə-ˈbä-lish How to pronounce abolish (audio)
abolished; abolishing; abolishes
Synonyms of abolishnext

transitive verb

: to end the observance or effect of (something, such as a law) : to completely do away with (something) : annul
abolish a law
abolish slavery
abolishable
ə-ˈbä-li-shə-bəl How to pronounce abolish (audio)
adjective
abolisher noun
abolishment
ə-ˈbä-lish-mənt How to pronounce abolish (audio)
noun

Synonyms

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Examples of abolish in a Sentence

He is in favor of abolishing the death penalty. the U.S. abolished slavery by constitutional amendment on December 6, 1865
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Yet even as years’ worth of political backlash has drowned out calls to defund or abolish forces, perceptions of police shaped by tragedies like George Floyd and Uvalde aren’t so easily forgotten. — Judy Berman, TIME, 12 Mar. 2025 But the administration's efforts to abolish federal agencies authorized by Congress are likely to meet the same fate as their attempts to stiff USAID contractors. — Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025 Manson was sentenced to death but was spared execution after the death penalty was abolished in California. — Emily Krauser, People.com, 9 Mar. 2025 Can Congress close the Education Department? Congress could abolish the department through a new law, but given the GOP’s slim margins in the Senate, the likelihood of passing such legislation is slim. — Zachary Schermele, USA TODAY, 8 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for abolish

Word History

Etymology

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 — more at old entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of abolish was in the 15th century

Rhymes for abolish

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Browse Nearby Words

abolish
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Cite this Entry

“Abolish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abolish. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

abolish

verb
abol·​ish ə-ˈbäl-ish How to pronounce abolish (audio)
: to do away with completely : put an end to
abolishable
-ə-bəl How to pronounce abolish (audio)
adjective
abolisher noun
abolishment
-mənt How to pronounce abolish (audio)
noun

Legal Definition

abolish

transitive verb
abol·​ish
: to end the observance or effect of : annul

More from Merriam-Webster on abolish

Nglish: Translation of abolish for Spanish Speakers

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