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in 1933, Congress passed the 21st Amendment which repealed the Prohibition Amendment of 1919, thus making the sale, distribution, and use of alcohol legal once again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

After the war there was a bill to repeal daylight savings, which passed through both houses of Congress. — Justin Pot, Popular Science, 31 Oct. 2026

Missouri advocates are seeking to repeal a constitutional amendment voters approved two years ago, while Virginia opponents are working to keep a new amendment out of their state constitution. — Gabrielle M. Etzel, The Washington Examiner, 30 Oct. 2026

Noun

Dispute over retroactive repeal The challenge also centers on the General Assembly’s subsequent repeal of the posting requirement. — Amy Delaura, The Washington Examiner, 22 Oct. 2026

A number of women explain potential solutions to the problems outlined in the film, like the repeal of Section 230 or social media companies reporting to a nonpartisan regulator. — Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2026