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
• 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

In many institutions, academic freedom has been threatened or abrogated. — Walt Hunter, The Atlantic, 2 Feb. 2026

That was the year when former President Hugo Chavez moved to unilaterally abrogate the contracts under which companies had been operating in Venezuela in an attempt to confiscate a bigger share of the oil revenues. — David Blackmon, Forbes.com, 8 Jan. 2026

Short of that, perhaps internal resistance within the administration or pressure from the public and the media might serve the oversight function that Congress, over the past eight months, has abrogated. — Douglas M. Charles, The Conversation, 3 Oct. 2025

As the twentieth century progressed, Cuba managed to abrogate its versions of the Platt Amendment and establish new constitutions. — Miriam Pensack, The Dial, 30 Sep. 2025

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