Synonyms of repeal

repeal 1 of 2

verb

ri-ˈpēl 

1

as in to cancel

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

the company called the furniture store to repeal the order for six new desks

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

2

as in to abolish

to put an end to by formal action

in 1933, Congress passed the 21st Amendment which repealed the Prohibition Amendment of 1919, thus making the sale, distribution, and use of alcohol legal once again

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

3

as in to renounce

to solemnly or formally reject or go back on (as something formerly adhered to)

if I find that you have been lying about this, I'll instantly repeal every promise I made to you

Synonyms & Similar Words

• renounce
• withdraw
• retract
• deny
• contradict
• refute
• abandon
• relinquish
• repudiate
• take back
• recant
• forswear
• renege
• abjure
• unsay
• disavow
• abnegate
• revoke
• spurn
• forsake
• negate
• recall
• disown
• disclaim
• disprove
• gainsay
• controvert
• disagree (with)
• surrender
• rebut
• negative
• dispute
• back down
• disallow
• backtrack
• bolt
• give up
• back off

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• maintain
• adhere (to)
• claim
• state
• declare
• acknowledge
• support
• proclaim
• assert
• affirm
• contend
• admit
• defend
• uphold
• endorse
• adopt
• confirm
• accept
• vow
• back
• profess
• embrace
• avow
• vouch
• espouse

repeal

2 of 2

noun

1

as in cancellation

the act of putting an end to something planned or previously agreed to

the long overdue repeal of laws prohibiting interracial marriage

Synonyms & Similar Words

• cancellation
• abandonment
• abolition
• revocation
• abortion
• rescission
• calling
• ending
• recision
• recall
• dropping
• termination
• nullification
• abolishment
• calling off
• annulment
• invalidation
• reversal
• neutralization
• surrender
• halting
• stopping
• rollback
• relinquishment
• voidance
• giving up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• continuation
• beginning
• initiation
• engagement
• commencement
• undertaking

2

as in abolition

the doing away with something by formal action

the repeal of Prohibition during Franklin D. Roosevelt's first term

Synonyms & Similar Words

• abolition
• abolishment
• dissolution
• abrogation
• nullification
• cancellation
• annulment
• dismissal
• invalidation
• defeasance
• withdrawal
• voiding
• avoidance
• elimination
• suspension
• negation
• veto
• prohibition
• abatement
• rescindment
• removal
• quashing
• abortion
• revocation
• reversal
• banning
• rejection
• override
• overruling
• retraction
• overturn
• outlawing
• recall
• liquidation
• calling off
• erasure
• eradication
• disallowance
• forbiddance
• enjoining
• countermand

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• legislation
• enactment
• establishment
• institution
• founding
• legalization
• ratification
• validation
• approval
• passing
• formalization
• permission
• legitimation
• authorization
• endorsement
• clearance
• prescription
• legitimization
• commandment
• ordering
• sanctioning
• mandating
• decreeing

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of repeal

Verb

At the same time, the agency repealed rules that regulate climate pollution from vehicles, which had been passed under the Biden administration to shift the industry toward hybrid and electric cars and trucks. — Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2026

None of those leaps repealed the trade-off between cost, weight and strength, but each one moved the curve, leading to today when a rider can buy a combination of light and strong that no amount of money could have purchased a generation ago. — Colby Proffitt, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2026

Noun

Monday’s repeal still leaves in place certain rules limiting air pollutants such as mercury and lead, although these standards have already been weakened. — Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2026

The state’s oldest distillery, it was created in 1934 (just after the repeal of Prohibition) and has been making bourbon ever since. — Robert F. Moss, Southern Living, 13 Sep. 2026