repeal

verb

re·​peal ri-ˈpēl How to pronounce repeal (audio)
repealed; repealing; repeals

transitive verb

1
: to rescind or annul by authoritative act
especially : to revoke or abrogate by legislative enactment
2
3
obsolete : to summon to return : recall
repeal noun
repealable adjective

Examples of repeal in a Sentence

the company called the furniture store to repeal the order for six new desks in 1933, Congress passed the 21st Amendment which repealed the Prohibition Amendment of 1919, thus making the sale, distribution, and use of alcohol legal once again
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.
But even in friendly rooms, Democrats are not promising to repeal the One Big Beautiful Bill Act in toto. David Weigel, semafor.com, 18 July 2025 One positive step was to repeal many of the Inflation Reduction Act’s green energy subsidies. Veronique De Rugy, Oc Register, 17 July 2025 As part of its broader efforts to repeal the successful Inflation Reduction Act, the administration halted distribution of unspent funds for vehicle charging stations from a $5 billion fund and called for ending the California waiver to enforce more ambitious zero-emission vehicle rules. Margo T. Oge, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025 Never mind that five years earlier, Congress had repealed the Expatriation Act by passing a bill introduced by Ohio Rep. John L. Cable. Marcia Biederman, Hartford Courant, 13 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for repeal

Word History

Etymology

Middle English repelen, borrowed from Anglo-French repeler, rapeler, reapeler "to call back, bring back, recover, rescind, deter," from re- re- + apeler, appeler to call, summon, call before a court" — more at appeal entry 2

Note: Both the form and meaning of the Anglo-French verb have been influenced to some degree by Latin repellere "to push away, fend off" (see repel).

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of repeal was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Repeal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/repeal. Accessed 23 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

repeal

verb
re·​peal ri-ˈpē(ə)l How to pronounce repeal (audio)
: to do away with especially by legislative action
repeal a law
repeal noun
repealable adjective

Legal Definition

repeal

transitive verb
re·​peal ri-ˈpēl How to pronounce repeal (audio)
: to rescind or annul by authoritative act
especially : to revoke or abrogate by legislative enactment
legislatures repealing statutes in light of a recent Supreme Court decision
repeal noun
Etymology

Anglo-French repeler, from Old French, from re- back + apeler to appeal, call, from Latin appellare to address, entreat, call by name

More from Merriam-Webster on repeal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!