repeal

verb

re·​peal ri-ˈpēl 

repealed; repealing; repeals

transitive verb

1

: to rescind or annul by authoritative act

especially : to revoke or abrogate by legislative enactment

2

: abandon, renounce

3

obsolete : to summon to return : recall

repeal noun

repealable

ri-ˈpē-lə-bəl 

adjective

Synonyms

• cancel
• abandon
• revoke
• scrap
• abort
• rescind

Examples of repeal in a Sentence

the company called the furniture store to repeal the order for six new desks

in 1933, Congress passed the 21st Amendment which repealed the Prohibition Amendment of 1919, thus making the sale, distribution, and use of alcohol legal once again

Recent Examples on the Web

Initially, both the Treasury Department and key congressional leaders were determined to repeal the SALT deduction entirely. —Joseph Thorndike, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025

Federal officials have said that repealing the rule would allow for more flexible management for local land managers and aid in preventing destructive wildfires. —John Leos, AZCentral.com, 11 Sep. 2025

The House passed a bill in 2021 to repeal the 2002 AUMF, and a bill to repeal both the 1991 and 2002 AUMFs passed the Senate in 2023. —Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 10 Sep. 2025

The House is set to vote on an amendment that would repeal two laws authorizing the use of military force (AUMF) in Iraq after three members of the House Freedom Caucus broke with Republican leaders in the House Rules Committee on Tuesday. —Emily Brooks, The Hill, 9 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English repelen, borrowed from Anglo-French repeler, rapeler, reapeler "to call back, bring back, recover, rescind, deter," from re- re- + apeler, appeler to call, summon, call before a court" — more at appeal entry 2

Note: Both the form and meaning of the Anglo-French verb have been influenced to some degree by Latin repellere "to push away, fend off" (see repel).

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for repeal

• abele
• alkyl
• anneal
• appeal
• cartwheel
• conceal
• congeal
• coquille
• corneal
• cornmeal
• flywheel
• foveal

Kids Definition

repeal

verb

re·​peal ri-ˈpē(ə)l 

: to do away with especially by legislative action

repeal a law

repeal noun

repealable

-ˈpē-lə-bəl 

adjective

Legal Definition

repeal

transitive verb

re·​peal ri-ˈpēl 

: to rescind or annul by authoritative act

especially : to revoke or abrogate by legislative enactment

legislatures repealing statutes in light of a recent Supreme Court decision

repeal noun

Etymology

Anglo-French repeler, from Old French, from re- back + apeler to appeal, call, from Latin appellare to address, entreat, call by name