abolish

verb

abol·​ish ə-ˈbä-lish How to pronounce abolish (audio)
abolished; abolishing; abolishes
Synonyms of abolish

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 How to pronounce abolish (audio)
adjective
abolisher noun
abolishment
ə-ˈbä-lish-mənt How to pronounce abolish (audio)
noun

Synonyms of abolish

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Examples of abolish in a Sentence

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
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.
Debates over abolishing or scaling back the institution, which occasionally flare up in the United Kingdom and other nations, are rare in Norway. — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026 While his party debates abolishing prisons and owning grocery stores, Democratic Mayor Daniel Lurie is cleaning up his city. — Kate Andrews, Washington Post, 27 Aug. 2026 More recently, Republicans who spent years complaining about Obamacare have failed to abolish it, let alone reform its finances. — Veronique De Rugy, Oc Register, 27 Aug. 2026 Calls to abolish capital punishment or increase transparency have grown after the 2024 acquittal of the world's longest-serving death-row inmate, Iwao Hakamada. — CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for abolish

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

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of abolish was in the 15th century

Rhymes for abolish

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Browse Nearby Words

aboil
abolish
abolishment
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Cite this Entry

“Abolish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abolish. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

abolish

verb
abol·​ish ə-ˈbäl-ish How to pronounce abolish (audio)
: to do away with completely : put an end to
abolishable
-ə-bəl How to pronounce abolish (audio)
adjective
abolisher noun
abolishment
-mənt How to pronounce abolish (audio)
noun

Legal Definition

abolish

transitive verb
abol·​ish
: to end the observance or effect of : annul
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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