Synonyms of abolish

abolish

verb

ə-ˈbä-lish 

1

as in to repeal

to put an end to by formal action

the U.S. abolished slavery by constitutional amendment on December 6, 1865

Synonyms & Similar Words

• repeal
• cancel
• overturn
• avoid
• abrogate
• nullify
• annul
• vacate
• invalidate
• rescind
• dissolve
• revoke
• quash
• negate
• void
• withdraw
• suspend
• dismiss
• roll back
• set aside
• abate
• eliminate
• strike down
• null
• reverse
• remove
• reject
• veto
• do away with
• retract
• disannul
• overrule
• forbid
• prohibit
• override
• ban
• erase
• eradicate
• outlaw
• enjoin
• abort
• recall
• countermand
• disallow
• annihilate
• call off
• liquidate
• call
• drop
• throw out
• write off
• break down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• enact
• establish
• legislate
• found
• institute
• lay down
• legitimate
• validate
• pass
• permit
• authorize
• allow
• approve
• ratify
• legalize
• endorse
• legitimize
• prescribe
• order
• warrant
• formalize
• clear
• sanction
• command
• mandate
• decree

2

as in to eradicate

to destroy all traces of

if only there were a way that we could abolish hatred and intolerance

Synonyms & Similar Words

• eradicate
• erase
• destroy
• obliterate
• exterminate
• expunge
• annihilate
• liquidate
• efface
• cancel
• wipe out
• extirpate
• sweep (away)
• demolish
• stamp (out)
• blot out
• clean (up)
• dismantle
• shatter
• kill
• ruin
• root (out)
• discard
• snuff (out)
• rub out
• dissolve
• black out
• devastate
• flatten
• consume
• decimate
• ravage
• waste
• mow (down)
• tear down
• fragment
• expel
• terminate
• wreck
• excise
• raze
• total
• smash
• powder
• eject
• finish
• oust
• ditch
• dash
• devour
• kill off
• jettison
• blow up
• atomize
• pulverize
• doom
• throw out
• blast
• cut
• zap
• dynamite
• splinter

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• protect
• preserve
• save
• conserve
• create
• build
• make
• construct
• form
• manufacture
• restore
• shape
• forge
• fabricate
• renew
• reconstruct
• fix
• rebuild
• repair
• frame
• patch
• mend
• fashion
• renovate
• revamp
• recondition

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of abolish

Massachusetts was the first state to abolish slavery, and since the 1800s, Martha’s Vineyard and Inkwell Beach have been a renowned getaway for Black families, for Black freedom and Black expression. — Doug Melville, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Illinois became the first state in the nation to abolish cash bail under the SAFE-T Act, also known as the Pretrial Fairness Act. — Eileen Burke, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026

Then, in 2005, Beijing abolished export tax rebates for rare earths and, in 2007, officially implemented a ten percent export tariff on all rare-earth ores, oxides, and compounds. — Gloria Xiong, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026

While he was supposed to die at the hands of the state, California abolished the death penalty in 1972 — which resulted in his sentence being commuted to life in prison. — Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 15 Aug. 2026