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

The senator closed out his video by calling for ICE to be abolished and to end qualified immunity. — Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 19 July 2026

At the end of the second installment, Mia is crowned the queen of Genovia single after Parliament abolishes the law requiring that a queen be married first. — Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 19 July 2026

The only option to prevent more shootings is to abolish ICE, organizers say. — Zaire Breedlove, Charlotte Observer, 17 July 2026

Lisa Walker-Yeager Lisa Walker-Yeager is running a campaign focused on abolishing or significantly reducing the property tax burden that residents, particularly senior citizens, have at a time when most goods and services are more expensive. — Sofi Zeman july 16, Kansas City Star, 16 July 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