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to show (something written) to be no longer valid by drawing a cross over or a line through it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

This case should highlight the growing trend online of programs with recurring charges that are not always easy to cancel and confusing to gain benefits from while using. —Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025

After her family cancels holiday plans at the last minute, Nell decides to spend the week of Christmas having fun on her own! —Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Oct. 2025

School, family call incident upsetting In a letter to parents, Kenwood High School’s principal said the alert was reviewed and canceled after officials confirmed there was no weapon. —Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2025

Performances at Kansas City’s historic Folly Theater have been cancelled this weekend following an overnight break-in, theater representatives say. —Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 24 Oct. 2025

Phrases Containing cancel

• cancel (out)