abolish

1 of 2

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

abolishment

2 of 2

noun

abol·​ish·​ment ə-ˈbä-lish-mənt 

plural -s

: abolition

Synonyms of abolish

Verb

• repeal
• cancel
• overturn

Examples of abolish in a Sentence

Verb

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

Verb

Calls to abolish capital punishment or increase transparency have grown after the 2024 acquittal of the world's longest-serving death-row inmate, Iwao Hakamada. — CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026

Calls to abolish capital punishment or increase transparency have grown after the 2024 acquittal of the world’s longest-serving death-row inmate, Iwao Hakamada. — ABC News, 21 Aug. 2026

Massachusetts was the first state to abolish slavery, and since the 1800s, Martha’s Vineyard and Inkwell Beach have been a renowned getaway for Black families, for Black freedom and Black expression. — Doug Melville, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Illinois became the first state in the nation to abolish cash bail under the SAFE-T Act, also known as the Pretrial Fairness Act. — Eileen Burke, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

Noun

probably borrowed from Middle French abolissement, from aboliss-, stem of abolir "to abolish" + -ment -ment entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1538, 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