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repealed; repealing; repeals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called the furniture store to repeal the order for six new desks in 1933, Congress passed the 21st Amendment which repealed the Prohibition Amendment of 1919, thus making the sale, distribution, and use of alcohol legal once again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.
Democrats are also hoping to repeal cuts to health care programs that were put in place as part of the GOP spending and tax bill that passed over the summer. The Npr Network, NPR, 6 Oct. 2025 Nevertheless, Ashley and Locke did not want the HALT Act to be repealed. Jennifer Gonnerman, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025 The Politics of Retreat In the UK, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, seeking to head off pressure from Reform, has pledged to repeal the landmark 2008 Climate Change Act, which established binding carbon budgets and created the independent Climate Change Committee. Felicia Jackson, Forbes.com, 3 Oct. 2025 The healthcare program wasn’t repealed. David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 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

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Cite this Entry

“Repeal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/repeal. Accessed 9 Oct. 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

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