abolish

verb

abol·ish ə-ˈbä-lish

abolished; abolishing; abolishes

transitive verb

: to end the observance or effect of (something, such as a law) : to completely do away with (something) : annul

abolish a law

abolish slavery

abolishable

ə-ˈbä-li-shə-bəl

adjective

abolisher noun

abolishment

ə-ˈbä-lish-mənt

noun

Example Sentences

He is in favor of abolishing the death penalty. the U.S. abolished slavery by constitutional amendment on December 6, 1865

Recent Examples on the Web Specifically, state governments should abolish the cap on cities’ and towns’ tax revenues, expand the taxes they’re allowed to collect, and invest directly to level the playing field between rich and poor communities.

Jon M. Nelson, BostonGlobe.com, 22 Nov. 2022 This amendment would abolish the Constitution Revision Commission, which voters created in 1968.

Jim Turner, Orlando Sentinel, 19 Oct. 2022 Belize can abolish the monarchy through legislation, as Barbados did, though Usher said the government plans to hold a referendum on reforms from the constitutional review.

Michael E. Miller, Washington Post, 14 Sep. 2022 Ultimately, he was pushed by democratic activists led by Moscow's mayor, Boris Yeltsin, to abolish the Communist Party, eliminating a totalitarian regime that had taken over Eastern Europe and spread communism worldwide.

William Welch And Jorge Ortiz, USA TODAY, 30 Aug. 2022 Another bill would abolish import tariffs and taxes for electric vehicles that are cheaper than the luxury car threshold of 77,565 Australian dollars ($53,580).

Rod Mcguirk, ajc, 2 July 2022 Clyburn's push back differs from more liberal calls to replace policing as it's known with a new form of public safety or even to abolish police departments altogether.

Mica Soellner, Washington Examiner, 14 June 2020 Of the five states that had a question on the ballot on whether to abolish slavery or not, one one state voted to reject the ban.

Bry'onna Mention, Essence, 10 Nov. 2022 Five states will choose whether to abolish slavery on Election Day.

Marina Pitofsky, USA TODAY, 8 Nov. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'abolish.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English abolysshen, borrowed from Middle French aboliss-, stem of abolir "to abolish," borrowed from Latin abolēre "to destroy, efface, put an end to," perhaps formed from abolēscere "to shrivel up, be effaced, fall into disuse," from ab- ab- + -ol-, medial form of the base of alere "to nourish, bring up" + -ēsc-, inchoative suffix — more at old entry 1