as in abolishing
to put an end to by formal action
a law that was later struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court as unconstitutional
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Recent Examples of striking down
In a 6–3 decision on Friday, the justices ruled that Trump overstepped by using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to levy tariffs throughout much of 2025, striking down portions of the duties on steel, aluminum, and some Chinese imports.
—
Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 23 Feb. 2026
Democrats had appealed to the Supreme Court that the Tazewell County Circuit Court ruling that Democrats in the legislature acted against proper procedure, striking down the referendum and determining that the current map must stay in place until 2028.
—Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 13 Feb. 2026
If Democrats are successful in striking down the Homeland Security spending package, some hinted at comprehensive immigration reforms to follow.
—Ana Ceballos, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026
That’s because the Supreme Court, in the 2022 decision striking down New York’s law, said gun regulations have to be consistent with the nation’s historical tradition of firearm regulation to be constitutional.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 20 Jan. 2026
But, in recent years, several of the conservative Justices, in dissents, have seemed ready to start striking down some delegations as being too unspecific to be consistent with the separation of powers.
—Jeannie Suk Gersen, New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2025
If a court issues a final ruling striking down the SAVE plan, which is a very real possibility, then borrowers may have to quickly change repayment plans.
—Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 23 Feb. 2026
Democrats had appealed to the Supreme Court that the Tazewell County Circuit Court ruling that Democrats in the legislature acted against proper procedure, striking down the referendum and determining that the current map must stay in place until 2028.
—Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 13 Feb. 2026
If Democrats are successful in striking down the Homeland Security spending package, some hinted at comprehensive immigration reforms to follow.
—Ana Ceballos, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026
That’s because the Supreme Court, in the 2022 decision striking down New York’s law, said gun regulations have to be consistent with the nation’s historical tradition of firearm regulation to be constitutional.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 20 Jan. 2026
But, in recent years, several of the conservative Justices, in dissents, have seemed ready to start striking down some delegations as being too unspecific to be consistent with the separation of powers.
—Jeannie Suk Gersen, New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2025
If a court issues a final ruling striking down the SAVE plan, which is a very real possibility, then borrowers may have to quickly change repayment plans.
—Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for striking down
Verb
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John Cornyn is a coward who has refused to support abolishing the filibuster to pass this bill.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Mar. 2026
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The Common Council passed a resolution, which in part supports abolishing ICE, that now heads to Mayor Johnson.—
Hope Karnopp,
jsonline.com,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Johnson, of the American Cancer Society, pushed back on arguments that repealing the program would save the state money.—
Sarah Cutler,
Idaho Statesman,
9 Mar. 2026
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The measure appears likely to appear on the ballot because the sponsors, the Lincoln Club Business League, plan to rely on the much lower threshold required under state law for measures repealing taxes and fees.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Airplane cabins aren’t exactly known for being quiet, which is where Tozo’s noise-canceling earbuds come in handy.—
Francesca Krempa,
Travel + Leisure,
12 Mar. 2026
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In addition to the loss of manpower, VOA cut its broadcast infrastructure, canceling contracts with satellite providers last year to broadcast into Middle Eastern countries, according to VOA employees.—
CNN.com Wire Service,
Mercury News,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Civil rights leaders fear the ruling could allow states to eliminate majority-Black and Latino districts, rolling back six decades of voting rights progress.—
Kim Chandler,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
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Environmental and public health advocacy groups have worked for weeks to oppose rolling back the finding, which cites carbon dioxide, methane and other greenhouse gases as threat to public health.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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And is there something to gain—politically, economically, or diplomatically—by avoiding conflict?—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
12 Mar. 2026
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While many bulk carriers have strong links with China in terms of ownership, operation and cargo, the actual effectiveness of declaring themselves as China-linked in avoiding attacks is unclear, said Rico Luman, a senior economist at the Dutch bank ING who focuses on transport and logistics.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Seda also said that more than 100 vehicles were damaged, with some overturning on the roadside and in parking bays.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 Mar. 2026
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Last month, in a separate case, Hong Kong’s Court of Appeal handed Lai a rare legal victory by overturning his conviction for fraud and quashing a 69-month sentence.—
Reuters 8 hr ago,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Striking down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/striking%20down. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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