Synonyms of cancel

cancel 1 of 2

verb (1)

ˈkan(t)-səl 

1

as in to abandon

to put an end to (something planned or previously agreed to)

please call to cancel your appointment with the dentist if you can't make it

Synonyms & Similar Words

• abandon
• revoke
• abort
• scrap
• repeal
• withdraw
• rescind
• terminate
• suspend
• recall
• halt
• reverse
• drop
• call
• interrupt
• call off
• end
• scrub
• discontinue
• retract
• annul
• nullify
• invalidate
• stop
• abrogate
• cry off
• void
• take back
• recant
• relinquish
• write off
• roll back
• countermand
• hold back
• break off
• surrender
• give up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• continue
• keep
• engage
• begin
• start
• initiate
• undertake
• pledge
• promise
• take up
• commence
• take on

2

as in to abolish

to put an end to by formal action

the agreement can be canceled by either side with a formal written notice

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

3

as in to delete

to show (something written) to be no longer valid by drawing a cross over or a line through it

canceled the check and wrote a new one

Synonyms & Similar Words

• delete
• erase
• remove
• censor
• cross (out)
• strike (out)
• kill
• stroke (out)
• scratch (out)
• blue-pencil
• elide
• edit (out)
• obliterate
• x (out)
• eradicate
• expunge
• suppress
• dele
• wipe out
• efface
• shorten
• blot out
• clip
• excise
• cut
• abbreviate
• rub out
• root (out)
• clean (up)
• redact
• silence
• repress
• launder
• crop
• bleep
• expurgate
• blip
• bowdlerize
• red-pencil
• black out

4

as in to erase

to destroy all traces of

it seemed as though all honor and decency had been canceled by the war's new moral order

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

cancel (out)

2 of 2

verb (2)

as in to offset

to balance with an equal force so as to make ineffective

unfortunately, this one indiscretion will cancel out a long record of accomplishment

Synonyms & Similar Words

• offset
• correct
• neutralize
• make up (for)
• compensate (for)
• outweigh
• counterbalance
• counteract
• relieve
• annul
• negative
• remedy
• atone (for)
• counterpoise
• invalidate
• nullify
• redeem
• negate
• redress
• overrule
• neuter
• override
• outbalance

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of cancel

Verb

Extracurricular activities, practices and events are also canceled. —Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 1 Feb. 2026

Casbah co-owner Tim Mays cited two instances last year in which acts had to cancel their performances at the intimate venue. —George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Feb. 2026

In 2020, Maryland won the Big Ten regular-season title but the NCAA Tournament was canceled that year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. —Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 1 Feb. 2026

In recent years, Shopify cancelled all recurring meetings with more than two people to free up employees to work on other tasks. —Claire Zillman, Fortune, 1 Feb. 2026

Phrases Containing cancel

• cancel (out)