Synonyms of abrogate

abrogate

verb

ˈa-brə-ˌgāt 

as in to abolish

to put an end to by formal action

the U.S. Congress can abrogate old treaties that are unfair to Native Americans

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb abrogate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of abrogate are annul, invalidate, negate, and nullify. While all these words mean "to deprive of effective or continued existence," abrogate is like annul but more definitely implies a legal or official act.

a law to abrogate trading privileges

When is it sensible to use annul instead of abrogate?

The words annul and abrogate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, annul suggests making ineffective or nonexistent often by legal or official action.

the treaty annuls all previous agreements

When could invalidate be used to replace abrogate?

The synonyms invalidate and abrogate are sometimes interchangeable, but invalidate implies making something powerless or unacceptable by declaration of its logical or moral or legal unsoundness.

the court invalidated the statute

When might negate be a better fit than abrogate?

While the synonyms negate and abrogate are close in meaning, negate implies the destruction or canceling out of each of two things by the other.

the arguments negate each other

In what contexts can nullify take the place of abrogate?

Although the words nullify and abrogate have much in common, nullify implies counteracting completely the force, effectiveness, or value of something.

a penalty nullified the touchdown

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of abrogate

Philp neglects to mention that AB 942 would abrogate the contract conditions that the state of California made with consumers. —U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 July 2025

He is entitled to all protections that are due under the Constitution, which the disappearance of him to El Salvador abrogated. —New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 8 June 2025

The edict was abrogated in 1918, according to canon law expert Edward Peters of Detroit’s Sacred Heart Major Seminary. —Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 4 May 2025

That law, however, was abrogated in 1918, which means there is currently no canon law on the subject, per Edward Peters, a professor of canon law at Sacred Heart seminary in Detroit. —Felix Salmon, Axios, 22 Apr. 2025

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