as in to abolish
to put an end to by formal action
lobbyists for the industry pressured the legislators to roll back the new automotive safety standards
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in reversal
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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 roll back
Jennifer Bringle, Sourcing Journal, 19 Feb. 2026
One year into a presidential administration that has prioritized rolling back laws that protect the environment, Arizonans continue to show overwhelming support for conservation and public lands, according to a new poll.
—Sarah Henry, AZCentral.com, 18 Feb. 2026
Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 11 Feb. 2026
That's part of a multi-pronged rollback of policies meant to support EVs.
—Camila Domonoske, NPR, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for roll back
Verb
According to Safer States, that provisions within that proposal would weaken Environmental Protection Agency authority to restrict harmful chemicals, shortcut safety reviews for new chemicals and roll back federal actions that reduce exposure to harmful chemicals.
—Jennifer Bringle, Sourcing Journal, 19 Feb. 2026
One year into a presidential administration that has prioritized rolling back laws that protect the environment, Arizonans continue to show overwhelming support for conservation and public lands, according to a new poll.
—Sarah Henry, AZCentral.com, 18 Feb. 2026
Noun
And those are directly impacted on the Netzero [by 2050 mandate], pressing Healey again on considering a rollback of the mandate.
—Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 11 Feb. 2026
That's part of a multi-pronged rollback of policies meant to support EVs.
—Camila Domonoske, NPR, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for roll back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for roll back
Verb
-
In a similar move, Dissanayake's government abolished perks provided to former presidents in September in response to popular demand.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Feb. 2026
-
The holiday first made it to the states when French explorers settled in New Orleans, and the celebrations stuck until the Spanish gained control of Louisiana and abolished the carnival.—
Paige Moore,
AZCentral.com,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Cano was given the overdose-reversal drug Narcan as a precaution, authorities said.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Know More The tariff reversal marks the latest turn in a volatile period for South Africa’s access to the US market.—
Sam Mkokeli,
semafor.com,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
As gas and other utility bills in Massachusetts remain among the highest in the nation, state legislature has still taken no action to repeal the Gas System Improvement Plan, and has yet to implement any substantial or effective policies to combat soaring energy bills.—
Tim Dunn,
Boston Herald,
22 Feb. 2026
-
The legislative package sponsored by a dozen lawmakers would repeal a variety of state tax exemptions that mirror tax breaks in the federal code.—
The Denver Post,
Denver Post,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The surrender of Bo Nagar, a leader of the Burma National Revolutionary Army or BNRA, in the upper-central region of Sagaing was a dramatic reminder of fractures within the armed resistance movement, which has led to sporadic clashes over control of territory and administrative disputes.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Where analysts differ is on what those changes ultimately represent — whether a pragmatic path toward recovery, an incomplete liberalization constrained by PDVSA’s institutional decay, or a historic surrender of oil sovereignty under foreign oversight.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Flights to Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara airports have been diverted or canceled by major airlines, including Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, and Alaska Airlines.—
Pamela Avila,
USA Today,
23 Feb. 2026
-
In a statement shared on social media, the Broadway League announced that while all matinees will continue as scheduled, evening performances have been canceled.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Students have often stood on the front lines, be it abolition, women’s suffrage or civil rights.—
Karl W. Bickel,
Baltimore Sun,
24 Feb. 2026
-
South Korea has not executed a death-row inmate since 1997, in what is widely seen as a de facto moratorium on capital punishment and popular calls for its abolition.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In response, Moreno signed a voluntary relinquishment of Spa Bar’s massage establishment license in July.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
10 Dec. 2025
-
But in 2022, when people returned to their offices or got new jobs and work schedules changed, the San Clemente shelter relinquishments jumped 87%, with 131 animals dropped off.—
Erika I. Ritchie,
Oc Register,
25 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Division 2 After two one-goal victories to reach the finals, Coronado freshman Audrey Roberts and her teammates used a late surge to avoid another close call.—
Glae Thien,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Feb. 2026
-
That’s because more of these people are often snowshoe hikers who normally avoid steep terrain.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
22 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Roll back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/roll%20back. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
