abolish

verb

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

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 adjective
abolisher noun
abolishment noun

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 Years after slavery was abolished, Mr. Thompson moved to Coronado and worked for E.S. Babcock, an industrialist who founded the Hotel del Coronado. Amanda Holpuch, New York Times, 14 Mar. 2024 Along with two other Republicans, Donalds introduced legislation to completely abolish D.C.’s local government last year — a bill almost certain to go nowhere but that Norton has said illustrates the intensity of Republicans’ focus on D.C. affairs this Congress. Meagan Flynn, Washington Post, 7 Mar. 2024 The cemetery was in use from about the end of the 14th century until 1778, when burials in the city were abolished and new burial grounds were designated outside city limits, experts said. Moira Ritter, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2024 Secure the border, protect election integrity, and abolish property taxes. Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Feb. 2024 Carnival was a powerful method of asserting cultural identity and reclaiming autonomy after chattel slavery was abolished. Melissa Noel, Essence, 13 Feb. 2024 The federal government should stop allowing pre-tax contributions to retirement savings, abolishing the 401(k) and Individual Retirement Account, two economists from opposing ideological camps argued in a research brief in January. USA TODAY, 10 Feb. 2024 Regulations may stifle grassroots innovation Fortunately, no government has ventured to abolish open models altogether. IEEE Spectrum, 8 Feb. 2024 That’s because, on March 3, 1924, the leaders of the then-new, secular Turkish republic moved to abolish the institution that had prevailed in various forms for centuries, stretching back to the founding of Islam. Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 6 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'abolish.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near abolish

Cite this Entry

“Abolish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abolish. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

abolish

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

Legal Definition

abolish

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

More from Merriam-Webster on abolish

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