Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

abrogate

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of abrogate

to put an end to by formal action
  • the U.S. Congress can abrogate old treaties that are unfair to Native Americans
Synonyms of abrogate

abate, abolish, annul, avoid, cancel, disannul, dissolve, invalidate, negate, null, nullify, quash, repeal, rescind, roll back, strike down, vacate, void
Words Related to abrogate

countermand, override, overrule, overturn, veto

abort, call, call off, drop, recall, retract, reverse, revoke, suspend, withdraw

ban, enjoin, forbid, outlaw, prohibit

disallow, dismiss, reject

annihilate, break down, eliminate, eradicate, erase, liquidate, remove, throw out, write off
Phrases Synonymous with abrogate

do away with, set aside
Near Antonyms of abrogate

enact, lay down, legislate

establish, found, institute

formalize, legalize, legitimate, legitimize, validate

pass, ratify

allow, approve, authorize, clear, endorse (also indorse), permit, sanction, warrant

command, decree, mandate, order, prescribe

Synonym Discussion of abrogate

nullify, negate, annul, abrogate, invalidate mean to deprive of effective or continued existence. nullify implies counteracting completely the force, effectiveness, or value of something.
    • a penalty nullified the touchdown
negate implies the destruction or canceling out of each of two things by the other.
    • the arguments negate each other
annul suggests making ineffective or nonexistent often by legal or official action.
    • the treaty annuls all previous agreements
abrogate is like annul but more definitely implies a legal or official act.
    • a law to abrogate trading privileges
invalidate implies making something powerless or unacceptable by declaration of its logical or moral or legal unsoundness.
    • the court invalidated the statute

Learn More about abrogate

  1. See words that rhyme with abrogate Dictionary: Definition of abrogate Spanish Central: Translation of abrogate Nglish: Translation of abrogate for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of abrogate for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up abrogate? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

misnomer

Listen to the pronounciation of misnomer

a wrong name or inappropriate designation

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. the Ohio State files trademark on common word

  2. freddo Chris Cuomo sparks debate over ethnic slur

  3. inoculum Tool announces new album

SEE ALL
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games