revoke

verb

re·voke | \ ri-ˈvōk

How to pronounce revoke (audio)

\

revoked; revoking

Definition of revoke

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to annul by recalling or taking back : rescind revoke a will

2 : to bring or call back

intransitive verb

: to fail to follow suit when able in a card game in violation of the rules

revoke

noun

Definition of revoke (Entry 2 of 2)

: an act or instance of revoking in a card game

Other Words from revoke Synonyms & Antonyms Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about revoke

Keep scrolling for more

Synonyms & Antonyms for revoke

Synonyms: Verb

abandon, abort, call, call off, cancel, cry off, drop, recall, repeal, rescind, scrap, scrub

Antonyms: Verb

Did You Know?

Since vocare means "to call" in Latin, to revoke is to "call back". Your driver's license could be revoked after about three convictions for driving under the influence of alcohol; some people's licenses are even revoked for life. You could get your passport revoked if a judge thought you had violated the terms of your bail and suspected you might skip the country. And if you're out of prison on probation and violate the terms of probation, it will probably be revoked and you'll end up back in the slammer.

Examples of revoke in a Sentence

Verb

The judge revoked her driver's license. Their work permits were revoked. Their privileges were revoked after they misbehaved.

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

By the early part of this decade, the ACLU started to protest Myriad’s gene patent, and by 2013, the Supreme Court agreed and the patents were revoked. — Faye Flam, The Denver Post, "Guest Commentary: Corporations shouldn’t be able to patent your DNA," 16 June 2019 Over the past year, however, DACA recipients have worried that under President Donald Trump, the policy adopted in 2012 could be revoked without permanent action by Congress, which has not occurred. — Claire Rafford, azcentral, "Group marks 7th anniversary of DACA, urges DREAM Act passage," 15 June 2019 On March 4, the judge revoked his bail and ordered him back to jail. — Mike Ehrmann/getty Images, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Jury in Kellen Winslow II case convicts on charges of rape, indecent exposure; still deliberating on 8 counts," 10 June 2019 In the event the H-4 EAD is revoked, Indian women will get the shortest end of the stick. — Ananya Bhattacharya, Quartz India, "H-4 visa holders sue the US government for delaying their work applications," 10 June 2019 Prosecutors requested Brown’s bond be revoked and a hearing was set to be held on that request. — Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al.com, "Suspect in Fairfield mall manager’s killing arrested after removing monitoring device, evading capture for 8 months," 6 June 2019 The next year, Monsanto’s permit to sell GM soy in Mexico was fully revoked. — Nina Strochlic, National Geographic, "An unlikely feud between beekeepers and Mennonites simmers in Mexico," 12 Apr. 2019 The Philadelphia Inquirerreported that Judge Steven O’Neill denied prosecutors’ request to revoke Cosby’s bail, allowing him to stay at home pending a sentencing hearing to determine his fate. — Matt Ford, The New Republic, "What’s next for Bill Cosby?," 26 Apr. 2018 Forty-seven-year-old Simmons has been in jail since U.S. District Judge Jed Rakoff revoked his bail for failure to comply with the conditions of his release. — Michael Harriot, The Root, "DMX Plans to Get Out of Jail by Playing His Songs in Court," 27 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'revoke.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about revoke

Dictionary Entries near revoke

Statistics for revoke

Last Updated

20 Jun 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for revoke

The first known use of revoke was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for revoke

revoke

verb

English Language Learners Definition of revoke

formal : to officially cancel the power or effect of (something, such as a law, license, agreement, etc.) : to make (something) not valid

See the full definition for revoke in the English Language Learners Dictionary

revoke

verb

re·voke | \ ri-ˈvōk

\

revoked; revoking

Kids Definition of revoke

: to take away or cancel My driver's license was revoked.

revoke

transitive verb

re·voke | \ ri-ˈvōk

\

revoked; revoking

Legal Definition of revoke

: to annul by recalling or taking back: as

a : to destroy the effectiveness of (one's will) by executing another or by an act of destruction (as tearing in half)

b : to put an end to (a trust)

c : to withdraw (an offer) especially before acceptance

d : to withdraw (acceptance of goods) by refusing to keep goods because of nonconformity — see also rejection

e : to take back (as a license or a grant of parole or probation) especially because of misconduct

Keep scrolling for more

WORD OF THE DAY

acquisitive

having a desire to acquire more things

Test Your Vocabulary

Words for Summer: A Quiz

Which of the following words means “of or relating to summer”?

How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ