Definitions

abolish

[uh-bol-ish] / əˈbɒl ɪʃ /

VERB

do away with or put an end to

Synonyms

STRONGEST

abrogate annul cancel dissolve eradicate nullify overthrow overturn prohibit put an end to repeal rescind revoke set aside stamp out suppress terminate wipe out

STRONG

abate annihilate destroy disestablish end erase expunge extinguish extirpate finish inhibit invalidate kill negate nix obliterate quash repudiate scrub squelch subvert supersede undo vacate vitiate void zap

WEAK

call off put kibosh on put the kibosh on

Antonyms

STRONGEST

allow approve create establish fix institute pass permit sanction validate

STRONG

aid assist bear begin build commence construct give birth help initiate keep revive save schedule set up start

WEAK

confirm continue enact legalize promote ratify support uphold

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The country's biggest union, Unia, also warned the initiative would weaken labour protections, abolish rules barring discrimination between resident and foreign employees and "open the door wide to wage dumping".

From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026

There was no urgent need to redefine the purpose and character of a museum, to abolish more than two centuries of acquired knowledge and start again.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

The UK, which was one of the major slaving nations before going on to lead the fight to abolish the trade, has also repeatedly ruled out paying reparations.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

Given such concerns, to say nothing of the general inconvenience associated with daylight-saving time, it’s no surprise that there have been a growing number of calls to abolish the back-and-forth clock changing.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 6, 2026

This is a reference to the Root and Branch Bill of 1641, which sought to abolish episcopacy, and led directly to the Civil War.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

Vocabulary lists containing abolish

The Declaration of Independence

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List 1

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Life Is So Good

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