Abolish: Definition, Usage & Examples

Meaning 1：end officially (abolish)

abolish 🔊

/əˈbɒlɪʃ/

vt.

To officially and completely end something, like a law, system, or practice.

Illustration of the word abolish: hands tearing an old legal document in half

end officially 🔊

➕

/ɛnd əˈfɪʃəli/

vt.

A formal and complete termination, typically applied to laws, systems, or practices by an authority.

📁 Category：Laws & Regulations 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'abolēre', meaning 'to destroy'. Broken down as ab- (away) + olēre (to grow).

💡 Mnemonic

A BOLT of lightning strikes a law book, officially ENDing it. (A-BOL-ish = END)

📖 Example

The government decided to abolish the outdated tax law that was causing problems for small businesses. 🔊 A ruling body made the formal decision to completely terminate an old tax regulation that was negatively impacting small enterprises.

🔗 Collocations

abolish slavery – to formally and completely end the practice of slavery

abolish a tax – to officially remove a tax from the legal system

abolish the system – to put a complete and formal end to an established system

🔄 Synonyms

repeal (vt.) – To revoke or annul a law or act of parliament.

annul (vt.) – To declare invalid, especially a legal agreement or marriage.

rescind (vt.) – To revoke, cancel, or repeal a law, order, or agreement.

🚫 Antonyms

establish (vt.) – To set up or institute something on a firm or permanent basis.

enact (vt.) – To make a bill or proposal into a law.

institute (vt.) – To introduce, establish, or start a system, rule, or proceeding.

🌱 Derivatives

abolition (n.) – The act of officially ending or abolishing something, especially a system or practice.

abolishable (adj.) – Capable of being abolished.

📖 Cultural Story

The word 'abolish' entered English via French from Latin 'abolēre', meaning 'to destroy'. Historically associated with formal termination, it's prominent in legal and political contexts, like the abolition of slavery.