strike down

verb

struck down; struck down also stricken down; striking down; strikes down

transitive verb

: annul, nullify

The board struck down the appointment.

especially : to declare (a law) illegal and unenforceable

The Supreme Court struck down the law.

Synonyms of strike down

• abolish
• repeal
• cancel
• set aside
• roll back
• avoid
• overturn

Examples of strike down in a Sentence

a law that was later struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court as unconstitutional

Recent Examples on the Web

Democratic leaders say the proposal is intended to clarify the state constitution after a 2022 court ruling struck down Maryland's congressional map. — Caroline Foreback, CBS News, 31 July 2026

Trump has appeared more conflicted with the conservative Supreme Court justices since February, when the court struck down his sweeping global tariffs in a 6-3 vote supported by Chief Justice John Roberts, Justice Neil Gorsuch and Barrett. — Antonio Pequeño Iv, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

The 2024 ruling striking down the law as unconstitutional had been on hold pending appeal, so Wednesday’s reversal does not change the status quo. — ABC News, 29 July 2026

Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales was the deciding vote, striking down Copenhaver's effort to force those voters to testify. — Cate Charron, IndyStar, 29 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1779, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for strike down

• chinatown
• tumbledown
• adown
• blowdown
• breakdown
• countdown
• crackdown
• crosstown
• downtown
• drawdown
• dropdown
• facedown

Kids Definition

strike down

verb

: to make null and void : annul

struck down the proposal

especially : to declare (a law) illegal and unenforceable

the court struck down the law

Legal Definition

strike down

transitive verb

: annul, nullify

the trustee…can strike down transfers

—J. J. White and R. S. Summers

especially : to declare (a law) illegal and unenforceable

the court struck down death penalty provisions

—L. H. Tribe