revoke

play

verb re·voke \ri-ˈvōk\

Definition of revoke

revoked

;

revoking

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

revoker

noun

See revoke defined for English-language learners

See revoke defined for kids

Examples of revoke in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of revoke from the Web

But their passage is uncertain, and activists argue that the law is so pernicious it should be revoked altogether.

— The Economist, "Don’t say a wordHow powerful people use criminal-defamation laws to silence their critics," 13 July 2017
President Donald Trump’s executive order extends the six-month review period established by the Obama administration on Jan. 13, which detailed conditions Sudan must meet for certain sanctions to be revoked, the State Department said in a statement.

— nizar manek, Bloomberg.com, "U.S. Extends Sudan Sanctions Review Period by Three Months," 12 July 2017
The permit was revoked just days after Bentley resigned from office after pleading guilty to campaign and ethics violations in connection with a romantic relationship with former advisor Rebekah Caldwell Mason.

— leada gore, AL.com, "Ex-governor Robert Bentley fighting to keep pistol permit," 12 July 2017
Brown was driving a 2009 Jaguar about 12:30 a.m. June 29 when a Naperville police officer ran a check of his license plate and found Brown was allegedly driving on a license revoked for DUI, court records said.

— bill bird, Naperville Sun, "Man had 47 counterfeit credit cards during Naperville stop, police say," 11 July 2017
Despite the school pressuring its social organizations to go co-ed, Harvard's Fox Club has revoked the provisional memberships of nine women, and effectively returned to being an all-male association.

— caroline hallemann, Town & Country, "Harvard's Fox Club Is All-Male Once Again," 5 July 2017
Garza did not respond to the allegations, so the board revoked his license in February 2017.

— audrey dutton, idahostatesman, "Idaho massage pros get into trouble when boundaries aren’t clear," 1 July 2017
Last year, he was placed on probation in a drug distribution case, and prosecutors have filed a motion to have his probation revoked, according to court records.

— mike hendricks and tony rizzo, kansascity.com, "Jackson County jail guards took bribes to smuggle contraband, feds allege," 26 June 2017
Bill Cosby’s honorary degree from the University of Missouri was revoked Friday in a unanimous vote by the UM System Board of Curators.

— ellen cagle, kansascity, "University of Missouri rescinds Bill Cosby’s honorary degree," 23 June 2017

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.

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.

Origin and Etymology of revoke

Middle English, from Anglo-French revocer, revoquer, from Latin revocare, from re- + vocare to call, from voc-, vox voice — more at voice

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

revoke

noun re·voke

Definition of revoke

: an act or instance of revoking in a card game

First Known Use of revoke

1709

REVOKE Defined for English Language Learners

revoke

play

verb

Definition of revoke for English Language Learners

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

REVOKE Defined for Kids

revoke

play

verb re·voke \ri-ˈvōk\

Definition of revoke for Students

revoked

;

revoking

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

Law Dictionary

revoke

play

transitive verb re·voke \ri-ˈvōk\

Legal Definition of revoke

revoked

revoking

: 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