STRIKING DOWN Synonyms: 80 Similar and Opposite Words

striking down

verb

present participle of strike down

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 O’Connor ruled that historical firearm tradition supports striking down the rule, as mandated by recent Supreme Court precedent that asks courts to consider American history when determining the constitutionality of gun laws. — Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 19 Aug. 2026 Lawyers for the families argue that the 5th Circuit – the most conservative appeals court in the country – flouted the Supreme Court’s 1980 decision striking down a Kentucky law that’s nearly identical to Texas’ requirement. — Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 17 Aug. 2026 The high court dealt Trump both of the losses during the term that ended in June, striking down his executive order to end birthright citizenship and blocking his attempt to fire Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook. — Isaac Arnsdorf, Washington Post, 7 Aug. 2026 The 2024 ruling striking down the law as unconstitutional had been on hold pending appeal, so Wednesday’s reversal does not change the status quo. — ABC News, 29 July 2026 The 2024 ruling striking down the law as unconstitutional had been on hold pending appeal, so Wednesday's reversal does not change the status quo. — CBS News, 29 July 2026 The court dealt Trump a major defeat in February by striking down his sweeping worldwide tariffs. — Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2026 Either way, in striking down the Louisiana voting map as a racial gerrymander, this outcome could influence how other states defend or challenge maps, too. — Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 3 May 2026 The Pentagon had tried to implement a new policy, in which reporter workspaces would be located outside the building itself, after the judge issued an earlier order striking down policies that attempted to limit reporting only to authorized releases of information. — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 16 Apr. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for striking down

Verb

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

Definition of abolishing

Verb

The Council earlier this month approved an ordinance repealing a July measure that directed the city manager to assess living conditions at the apartments and make emergency repairs.

— Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 26 Aug. 2026
That includes prohibiting the construction of AI data centers in rural Texas neighborhoods, reducing the impacts of data centers on local communities, and repealing sales tax exemptions and other incentives.

— Jack Fink, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of repealing

Verb

Last fall, in its first move toward rolling back federal broadband initiatives, the FCC voted to remove at-home and school bus Wi-Fi access from the program, features that were added during the Biden administration.

— Linda Jacobson, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Eight states have enacted legislation this year rolling back data center tax subsidies, with 17 more considering similar measures, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, cited by Politico.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of rolling back

Verb

Suggest a timeline, assign a task, or ask the question everyone keeps politely avoiding.

— Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 1 Sep. 2026
Officials annually emphasize boating safety, wearing life jackets and being aware of conditions, especially rip currents, and avoiding drinking alcoholic beverages when venturing out on the water.

— Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026