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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Tesla billionaire spent Thanksgiving with Trump at Mar-a-Lago in Florida. MORE: Some ethics experts raise concerns over Musk and Ramaswamy's Department of Government Efficiency roles Earlier this week, Musk proposed abolishing the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 29 Nov. 2024 His transition team is reportedly working on plans to abolish the tax credits and to roll back the more stringent fuel-economy rules that were pushed through by the Biden administration. Tom Krisher, Fortune, 26 Nov. 2024 Ramaswamy called to abolish the department as recently as last summer while running his own campaign for president. Jenny Goldsberry, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 25 Nov. 2024 Marshall’s ongoing drive to end the military conflict in Ukraine, and to halt the testing worldwide of anti-satellite missiles, in some ways resembles Einstein’s earlier campaign to abolish nuclear super-bombs. Kevin Holden Platt, Forbes, 25 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for abolish 

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 12 Dec. 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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