repeal

verb

re·peal ri-ˈpēl

repealed; repealing; repeals

transitive verb

: to rescind or annul by authoritative act

especially : to revoke or abrogate by legislative enactment

: abandon, renounce

obsolete : to summon to return : recall

repeal noun

repealable

ri-ˈpē-lə-bəl

adjective

Example Sentences

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called the furniture store to repeal the order for six new desks in 1933, Congress passed the 21st Amendment which repealed the Prohibition Amendment of 1919, thus making the sale, distribution, and use of alcohol legal once again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 Residents could also repeal the system through a citizens initiative.

Arkansas Online, 25 Nov. 2022 That may be the last chance for at least two years to repeal the debt ceiling, once and for all.

Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 16 Nov. 2022 Proposition 308 would repeal portions of another statewide ballot measure passed in 2006 that put restrictions on undocumented students, also known as Dreamers.

Rafael Carranza, The Arizona Republic, 8 Nov. 2022 In March, 16 LGBT groups urged Qatar to repeal those laws, among other demands.

Andrew Jeong, Washington Post, 25 Oct. 2022 Crossman and other lawmakers voted around the same time to permanently repeal those parts of HB6, though other parts are still on the books.

Jeremy Pelzer, cleveland, 25 Oct. 2022 The new rule would repeal the 2021 Independent Contractor Rule which narrowed the qualifications for employees.

Vanessa Yurkevich, CNN, 11 Oct. 2022 In November, lawmakers repeal the old occupational tax law.

Heather Gann | Hgann@al.com, al, 7 Oct. 2022 But as Aronoff explained, the mere existence of this language in the bill’s text doesn’t actually repeal anything.

Jason Linkins, The New Republic, 27 Aug. 2022 See More

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

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

Time Traveler

The first known use of repeal was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century