1
as in to cancel
to put an end to (something planned or previously agreed to)
the company called the furniture store to repeal the order for six new desks
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to abolish
to put an end to by formal action
in 1933, Congress passed the 21st Amendment which repealed the Prohibition Amendment of 1919, thus making the sale, distribution, and use of alcohol legal once again
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to withdraw
to solemnly or formally reject or go back on (as something formerly adhered to)
if I find that you have been lying about this, I'll instantly repeal every promise I made to you
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in cancelation
the act of putting an end to something planned or previously agreed to
the long overdue repeal of laws prohibiting interracial marriage
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in abolition
the doing away with something by formal action
the repeal of Prohibition during Franklin D. Roosevelt's first term
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of repeal
Mary Clare Jalonick, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025
The federal government is suing the state and its capital city over their immigration laws, and federal officials have demanded that local leaders repeal those policies.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 30 Sep. 2025
Selena Simmons-Duffin, NPR, 2 Oct. 2025
Advocates argue a full repeal is necessary to give businesses confidence to invest in the long term.
—Laura Kelly, The Hill, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for repeal
Verb
In 2013, the government shut down for 16 days during the Obama presidency over GOP demands to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.
—Mary Clare Jalonick, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025
The federal government is suing the state and its capital city over their immigration laws, and federal officials have demanded that local leaders repeal those policies.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 30 Sep. 2025
Noun
For Cox, having this relatively small slice of the health insurance pie dominating the political universe takes her back to the repeal and replace fight of 2017 and countless standoffs over the Affordable Care Act since then.
—Selena Simmons-Duffin, NPR, 2 Oct. 2025
Advocates argue a full repeal is necessary to give businesses confidence to invest in the long term.
—Laura Kelly, The Hill, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for repeal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repeal
Verb
-
An upcoming Chris Brown concert, scheduled to take place in Memphis, Tennessee, has been cancelled two weeks ahead of showtime.—
John Beifuss,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Future Ruins, the inaugural film-music festival run by Oscar-winning duo Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, has been canceled.—
Mitchell Peters,
Billboard,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
However, when your organization was founded less than 45 years after slavery was abolished, when Black women were still being forced to be wet nurses to the very children of those who oppressed them and lynching was a common occurrence below the Mason-Dixon Line?—
Essence,
Essence,
3 Oct. 2025
-
The European Parliament has twice called for Yahaya’s release, asking Nigeria to set an example by abolishing the blasphemy laws under which he has been detained for over five years.—
Sean Nelson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Ryan Yates, who had been a destructive figure in midfield, was subsequently withdrawn amid three attacking changes, which saw Callum Hudson-Odoi, Omari Hutchinson and Igor Jesus introduced, giving Forest more threat, but also allowing Newcastle more openings.—
Paul Taylor,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
-
After President Joe Biden withdrew his reelection campaign yesterday, the endorsements have been rolling in for Vice President Kamala Harris to be selected as the Democratic nominee for the upcoming election.—
Anna Tingley,
Variety,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The recent abolition of these tariffs comes as the country has shifted from exporting more cotton to importing more fiber.—
Sarah Jones,
Sourcing Journal,
30 Sep. 2025
-
For 25 to 34 year olds, 53 percent were republicans compared to 45 percent royalist and 35 to 44-year-olds were almost exactly split, with 48 percent in favor of abolition and 47 percent wanting to keep the royals.—
Jack Royston,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Trouble ahead Cernea’s decision to switch carriers hints at the worst-case scenario for UPS, which is that people could abandon the company.—
Kayla Steinberg,
NBC news,
10 Oct. 2025
-
But it should be noted that people abandoning religion usually do so less vocally than those joining up.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Knox was convicted and served four years of a 26-year sentence in an Italian prison before the verdict was overturned.—
Andrew McGowan,
Variety,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Alito’s invocation of stare decisis is similarly peculiar, especially after authoring the opinion that overturned Roe.—
Samantha Riedel,
Them.,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The prominent medical publisher BMJ Group has retracted a study that found apple cider vinegar could help people achieve dramatic weight loss.—
Jon Hamilton,
NPR,
5 Oct. 2025
-
Its active rear wing, for example, remains fully retracted when on a straightaway, reducing drag and maximizing acceleration.—
Stephen Treffinger,
Robb Report,
5 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The AirPods Pro 3 offer active noise cancellation, heart-rate sensing, fitness tracking, and even live translation.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
9 Oct. 2025
-
Madden in July reported second quarter profits that were down due to wholesale order cancellations and late shipments amid a backdrop of tariff uncertainties.—
Vicki M. Young,
Footwear News,
9 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Repeal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repeal. Accessed 12 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share