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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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in 1933, Congress passed the 21st Amendment which repealed the Prohibition Amendment of 1919, thus making the sale, distribution, and use of alcohol legal once again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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 repeal
Nick Bowlin, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Earlier this year, Kansas City officials voted unanimously to repeal a local ordinance tied to the Missouri-Kansas agreement.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 29 Dec. 2025
Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 22 Dec. 2025
The move, spearheaded by Israel’s hard-right finance minister, effectively completes the repeal of a 2005 disengagement plan that led to the evacuation of several settlements, Haaretz noted.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 21 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for repeal
Verb
Major New Deal reforms limiting consolidation and utilities’ geographic reach have been rolled back or repealed.
—Nick Bowlin, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Earlier this year, Kansas City officials voted unanimously to repeal a local ordinance tied to the Missouri-Kansas agreement.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 29 Dec. 2025
Noun
The total — reported in October — marks the highest level since the repeal of Prohibition and reflects a 27% increase from 2024, the group said.
—Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 22 Dec. 2025
The move, spearheaded by Israel’s hard-right finance minister, effectively completes the repeal of a 2005 disengagement plan that led to the evacuation of several settlements, Haaretz noted.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 21 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for repeal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repeal
Verb
-
That band faces a similar situation as Mariachi Joya Azteca, with at least two major events canceled in 2025.—
Juan Cordoba,
Arkansas Online,
12 Jan. 2026
-
The Anker 737 Power Bank keeps multiple devices running and charging, from your phone to your noise-canceling headphones, without weighing down your bag.—
Claire Gallam,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The FairTax Act of 2025 was the latest bid to abolish the Internal Revenue Service and replace income tax and other levies with a national sales tax.—
Marina Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
6 Jan. 2026
-
During his campaign, Mamdani pledged to keep the NYPD’s headcount flat, abolish the department’s controversial Strategic Response Group and get rid of its gang database — all proposals opposed by Tisch, who supports hiring more cops.—
Rocco Parascandola,
New York Daily News,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Margaret’s father succeeded him as King George VI, and her mother Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, never forgave the duke for renouncing his duty to his country.—
Samantha Conti,
Footwear News,
29 Dec. 2025
-
Ukraine withdrawing from all of the Donbas, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, and Kyiv officially renouncing its aim to join NATO.—
Andrea Shalal,
USA Today,
28 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
The cancellation also comes amid a recall of the Jeep SUVs due to fire risk — the latest in a string of issues for the vehicles.—
Michael Wayland,
CNBC,
9 Jan. 2026
-
It was punctuated by multiple flight delays and one shootaround cancellation while the team was en route to an arena.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The talk will encompass later American revolutions which related directly to principles expounded on in the Declaration of Independence such as abolition and women’s suffrage and civil rights.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
4 Jan. 2026
-
Executions in several countries that retain the death penalty surged in 2025, despite abolition campaigns gaining momentum worldwide.—
Prashant Rao,
semafor.com,
2 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The Miami Hurricanes are at home, while the entire state of Indiana – save for some in West Lafayette – is content to abandon their homes to enjoy this unexpectedly stupefying playoff march.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Season One concludes with the Texas Tech geology graduate abandoning a well crew after tragedy strikes, only to achieve rapid success in his personal and work endeavors.—
Michael M. Rosen,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Lawyers also argued the conviction should be overturned because the verdict was tainted by the media attention and due to faulty instructions to the jury.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
6 Jan. 2026
-
In 2005, Yates’ conviction was overturned by the Texas Court of Appeals.—
Isabella Wandermurem,
Time,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Former North Crowley standout Ka’Morreun Pimpton also withdrew his name from the portal Sunday.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 Jan. 2026
-
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) withdrew its troops last week following a deadline from Saudi Arabia.—
Ashley J. DiMella,
FOXNews.com,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Repeal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repeal. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share