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

Both countries will agree to abolish all discriminatory measures and guarantee the rights of Ukrainian and Russian media and education. —Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2025

Both countries will agree to abolish all discriminatory measures and guarantee the rights of Ukrainian and Russian media and education. —Mariam Khan, ABC News, 20 Nov. 2025

Shortly after Jimmy Hill had led the PFA’s successful bid to abolish a £20-per-week maximum wage in 1961, Eastham was also attacking the old order. —Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 19 Nov. 2025

Animal-welfare activists say the treatment of parrots raised for the pet trade is cruel and inhumane and should be abolished. —Rene Ebersole, Rolling Stone, 18 Nov. 2025

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