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

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 abrogate Revealing the continued potency of the issue, Reagan’s campaign was inundated with letters begging him to abrogate the treaties and maintain American power abroad should he be elected. Aaron Coy Moulton / Made By History, TIME, 16 Jan. 2025 But ultimately, in our court system, the rules are the same for Mr. Carter and for the Plaintiff here, and the Rule 11 safe harbor cannot be abrogated on his whim. Dominic Patten, Deadline, 20 Dec. 2024 If a Chinese group supplies fentanyl at home, its members face severe sanctions—including death—in a criminal justice system that frequently abrogates international norms and values. Raja Krishnamoorthi, Foreign Affairs, 12 Dec. 2024 Martin: Which can be abrogated if the people who run that department so choose. Obed Manuel, NPR, 3 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for abrogate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abrogate
Verb
  • The Swiss government said Switzerland abolished all industrial tariffs on Jan. 1 last year, meaning that 99% of all goods from the United States can be imported into Switzerland duty-free.
    Paul Wiseman, Chicago Tribune, 10 May 2025
  • In late April, reports emerged that President Trump’s 2026 budget could seek to abolish Head Start entirely, as recommended in Project 2025, the policy blueprint for the second Trump term.
    Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 10 May 2025
Verb
  • Sun Sentinel Bill to end limits on who can sue for medical malpractice stalls in Florida Senate The Florida Senate appeared on the verge Wednesday of passing a bill to repeal an exception in the state’s medical-malpractice laws.
    South Florida Sun Sentinel, Sun Sentinel, 1 May 2025
  • House Republicans passed a measure Thursday that would repeal the government’s decision to place California’s longfin smelt, a finger-sized fish, on the endangered species list.
    Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2025
Verb
  • But this sort of work would require close collaboration with Chinese researchers, at just the time when those collaborations are being scrutinized or canceled.
    Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 20 May 2025
  • Intisar proposed cancelling the hospital visit, fearing that they might be targeted for violence by the warring groups, each of which was led by Arabs.
    Nicolas Niarchos, New Yorker, 19 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Abrogate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abrogate. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on abrogate

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