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

Calls to abolish the bases have been raised previously, particularly when they are used for military action in the region. —ABC News, 24 Mar. 2026

The program is funded by $2 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funding, which the county is using to abolish millions in medical debt for thousands of residents across the county. —Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 23 Mar. 2026

Another 6,300 Oakland County residents will have more than $6 million in medical debt abolished thanks to the county's partnership with a national nonprofit and dedicated federal funds. —Christina Hall, Freep.com, 23 Mar. 2026

However, last year the current presidential administration intentionally abolished this protection as a calculated tactic to advance their anti-immigrant agenda. —Dr. Lauren Palladino, Hartford Courant, 22 Mar. 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