ROLL BACK Synonyms: 110 Similar and Opposite Words

roll back 1 of 2

verb

Definition of roll back

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

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rollback

2 of 2

noun

as in reversal

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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

Verb

Marx wants to slash red tape on home building and roll back cost-inflating mandates. — Jeff Gurney, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026 Congress rolled back protections for the Boundary Waters, opening the door to mining in its headwaters. — Mary Beth Laughton, Time, 14 Oct. 2026

Noun

His administration has also demanded the rollback of land expropriation policies and Black Economic Empowerment laws, which were established to redress the legacy of apartheid. — Alexis Akwagyiram, semafor.com, 21 Sep. 2026 Notably, Bowman said the Starling report found the Fed regulatory problems were not caused by a bipartisan 2018 rollback of bank regulation that freed large regional banks like SVB from the toughest oversight. — Matt Egan, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for roll back

Recent Examples of Synonyms for roll back

Verb

In Germany, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is also gaining ground and wants to abolish the license fee that finances public broadcasters ARD and ZDF.

— Leo Barraclough, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
Although California had technically abolished slavery in its 1849 constitution, no legal authority troubled Smith about his human property.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of abolish

Noun

Inspired by Ektachrome, a color-reversal film stock widely used during the 1970s, this presentation allows viewers to immerse themselves into the vivid colors and style of the 1973 Easter Island landscape.

— Tanya Fedak, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026
Kansas City, Missouri, could max out in the mid 70s on Thursday after topping 90 degrees Fahrenheit Tuesday — a nearly 20-degree reversal.

— Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of reversal

Verb

The Greenwich Sentinel reported that at a recent forum, Democrat Jill Oberlander, candidate for the town’s 36th Senate District seat, said that the law should be amended or repealed, and stressed her support for community zoning authority.

— Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026
The Trades Council endorsed the campaign for repealing the law, according to Ballotpedia, while Schmidt spent heavily to defend it.

— Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of repeal

Noun

When threats don’t speed wins In the pursuit of surrender, or at least a ceasefire, the promise of crushing defeat has rarely been enticing.

— Anna Mulrine Grobe, Christian Science Monitor, 16 Oct. 2026
Winston Churchill did not surrender to Germany, nor should Zelenskyy surrender to Putin.

— Alfred H. Moses, Baltimore Sun, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of surrender

Verb

Classes, activities and athletic events across Bend-La Pine Schools are canceled tomorrow, the district announced.

— Phil Helsel, NBC news, 16 Oct. 2026
Ossoff last year also pressed Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin for canceling public health and environmental grants.

— Maydeen Merino, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of cancel

Noun

The city had a large Black population, a storied history of abolition and an abundance of Black institutions, yet racial discrimination was still endemic.

— Timothy Welbeck, The Conversation, 13 Oct. 2026
The Democrat, who took office in January, has restricted local cooperation with immigration enforcement operations and repeatedly called for the abolition of ICE.

— Rebecca Santana, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of abolition

Verb

Recently, A'ja Wilson charged aggressively toward a fan in the stands and avoided a suspension.

— Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026
The group chose roads that would keep them moving, avoiding excessive stop-start riding at traffic lights and intersections wherever possible.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of avoid

Noun

In North Carolina, a 2024 study examining state enforcement laws found that despite 93% of cases meeting the conditions for gun relinquishment, the policy was enforced in only 37% of cases.

— Sativa Banks, The Conversation, 4 June 2026
Benjamin qualified for the national bee by winning the San Diego County Scripps Regional Spelling Bee in March, correctly spelling kenosis, the relinquishment of divine attributes by Jesus Christ in becoming human, in the 23rd round.

— City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 May 2026

Definition of relinquishment

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“Roll back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/roll%20back. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of roll back

verb

noun

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