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to show (something written) to be no longer valid by drawing a cross over or a line through it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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• stet

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

Harris’ trial for the end of April was recently canceled pending a case reset, according to court records. —Kate Linderman, Kansas City Star, 25 Apr. 2025

The court had also been set to hear oral arguments on disciplinary cases, but the hearing was canceled. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025

Part of WorldPride 2025 festival in Washington DC, the Center’s Tapestry of Pride events that were scheduled for June 5 to 8 have been quietly cancelled or moved to other venues, according to the Associated Press. —Glenn Garner, Deadline, 25 Apr. 2025

Some providers diagnosing and treating people with autism have been deluged by requests to scrub their data and cancel appointments, multiple federal health officials told CBS News, over concerns about patient privacy and worries it would be used to support unfounded claims. —Melissa Gaffney, CBS News, 25 Apr. 2025

Phrases Containing cancel

• cancel (out)