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

Abolish the police, abolish ICE, abolish borders, abolish the Senate, abolish the Constitution -- there was nothing like this in the Republican Party. — ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026

Some Democratic candidates who won their party’s nomination have called for ICE to be abolished, including progressives in Michigan, Illinois and New Jersey. — Christopher Cann, USA Today, 9 Aug. 2026

The concept was introduced in the 19th century by Karl Marx, who wanted to abolish private property and dissolve class distinctions in order to more fairly distribute resources. — Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026

Murrill told lawmakers last year that defending the state against these claims consumes an enormous amount of time and resources and that the fund should be abolished altogether. — Richard A. Webster, ProPublica, 6 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