Definition of abolish
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
abolisher
nounFrom the M-W Editors
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 of abolish from the Web
-
Shortly after, federalism was abolished and a new unitary state created.
-
Jeremy Corbyn believes higher education is a positive tool for increasing social mobility, and his Labour Party has promised to abolish tuition fees for university students.
-
The European Commission drafted legislation late last year that would abolish the non-market-economy label the EU assigns to China when probing alleged below-cost imports.
-
The program was initially offered only to students with a family income below $66,000, but within a couple years, that income cap was abolished.
-
The proposal abolishes six aviation unit positions: three police officers, two flight officers and one police sergeant.
-
That thing the Democratic operative said about his party being abolished?
-
Then there’s the growing chorus of Brazilians who contend that the presidency should be abolished altogether, replaced by citizens making decisions via the instant-messaging service WhatsApp.
-
The lifts must no longer be hidden away like tapeworms in the niches of stairwells; the stairwells themselves, rendered useless, must be abolished, and the lifts must scale the lengths of the façades like serpents of steel and glass.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'abolish'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of abolish
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 1old
First Known Use: 15th century
ABOLISH Defined for Kids
abolish
playDefinition of abolish for Students
abolished
;abolishing
: to do away with : put an end to abolish discrimination
Law Dictionary
abolish
Legal Definition of abolish
: to end the observance or effect of : annul
Learn More about abolish
-
See words that rhyme with abolish Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for abolish Spanish Central: Translation of abolish Nglish: Translation of abolish for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of abolish for Arabic speakers
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up abolish? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!