abolish
verb
abol·ish
ə-ˈbä-lish 
abolished; abolishing; abolishes
: to end the observance or effect of (something, such as a law) : to completely do away with (something) : annul
abolish a law
abolish slavery
Synonyms
Examples of abolish in a Sentence
He is in favor of abolishing the death penalty.
the U.S. abolished slavery by constitutional amendment on December 6, 1865
Recent Examples on the Web
In the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision to abolish affirmative action, this film thoughtfully looks back at the largest class of Black students at Yale in the 1990s, the dining table that bonded them, and how their story informs our future.
—
Jack Dunn, Variety, 17 Apr. 2024
The election will be the first for a Miami-Dade sheriff since the 1960s, when voters abolished the office.
—Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 12 Apr. 2024
Well, that is how it is being dressed up, anyway: What is actually happening is that some of the league’s clubs are trying to find a method, effectively, to abolish financial regulation.
—Rory Smith, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2024
While two-thirds of the nation favor abolishing the Electoral College, Nebraska Republicans are looking to strengthen it, as an effort to undo the state's uniquely representative electoral vote system picks up traction ahead of the 2024 election.
—Kyler Alvord, Peoplemag, 3 Apr. 2024
Since Idaho’s last execution in June 2012, five states have abolished the death penalty now for a total of 23 U.S. states without capital punishment.
—Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 26 Mar. 2024
Their decision doesn’t abolish the auction system right away but rather sunsets it by the start of the 2026 hunting season.
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 20 Mar. 2024
The brother of hers who had been shot in the leg had run away in 1863, and Simms herself had fled in 1864, after Maryland abolished slavery.
—Jill Lepore, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024
During his election campaign, in a bid to attract young male voters, President Yoon Suk Yeol said structural sexism no longer exists in South Korea and pledged to abolish the ministry for gender equality.
—Se Eun Gong, NPR, 10 Apr. 2024
Jack Dunn, Variety, 17 Apr. 2024
The election will be the first for a Miami-Dade sheriff since the 1960s, when voters abolished the office.
—Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 12 Apr. 2024
Well, that is how it is being dressed up, anyway: What is actually happening is that some of the league’s clubs are trying to find a method, effectively, to abolish financial regulation.
—Rory Smith, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2024
While two-thirds of the nation favor abolishing the Electoral College, Nebraska Republicans are looking to strengthen it, as an effort to undo the state's uniquely representative electoral vote system picks up traction ahead of the 2024 election.
—Kyler Alvord, Peoplemag, 3 Apr. 2024
Since Idaho’s last execution in June 2012, five states have abolished the death penalty now for a total of 23 U.S. states without capital punishment.
—Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 26 Mar. 2024
Their decision doesn’t abolish the auction system right away but rather sunsets it by the start of the 2026 hunting season.
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 20 Mar. 2024
The brother of hers who had been shot in the leg had run away in 1863, and Simms herself had fled in 1864, after Maryland abolished slavery.
—Jill Lepore, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024
During his election campaign, in a bid to attract young male voters, President Yoon Suk Yeol said structural sexism no longer exists in South Korea and pledged to abolish the ministry for gender equality.
—Se Eun Gong, NPR, 10 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'abolish.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near abolish
Cite this Entry
“Abolish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abolish. Accessed 27 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
abolish
verb
abol·ish
ə-ˈbäl-ish
: to do away with completely : put an end to
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