abolish

verb

abol·​ish ə-ˈbä-lish 

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

ə-ˈbä-li-shə-bəl 

adjective

abolisher noun

abolishment

ə-ˈbä-lish-mənt 

noun

Synonyms of abolish

• repeal
• cancel
• overturn

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

In 1926, diplomats gathered beneath the high ceilings of the League of Nations in Geneva to draft the world's first international treaty abolishing slavery. —Nicole F. Roberts, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026

Established as a federal holiday in 2021, Juneteenth takes its name from June 19, 1865, the day when people in Galveston, Texas, were informed that slavery was officially abolished in the United States. —Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2026

Dillon wants to see intimate measurement questions abolished altogether during casting. —Jake Kanter, Deadline, 11 June 2026

The golden goal was abolished in 2004 by the International Football Association Board after negative feedback from coaches, referees and players. —Kierra Frazier, CBS News, 11 June 2026

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

Rhymes for abolish

• demolish
• gaulish
• polish
• smallish

Kids Definition

abolish

verb

abol·​ish ə-ˈbäl-ish 

: to do away with completely : put an end to

abolishable

-ə-bəl 

adjective

abolisher noun

abolishment

-mənt 

noun

Legal Definition

abolish

transitive verb

abol·​ish

: to end the observance or effect of : annul