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to repeal

to repeal

143 4.3
To cancel a law or rule so it no longer applies
  • verb
  • /rɪˈpil/
  • Formal
translation icon : derogar
  • The amendment was eventually repealed in April 1977 after several unsuccessful efforts.
  • repeal the law
  • repeal the bill
  • repeal the act

They announced they're going to repeal now and replace later.

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Examples

  • Because now, even if Biden has tried to Trump proof the government with legislation, you can repeal that legislation.

  • Joe Biden said twice in the debate last week that on day one he was going to repeal the Trump tax cuts.

  • I think it's about time we repealed that law.

  • It was used as an attempt to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

  • Tonight, I am also calling on this Congress to repeal and replace Obamacare.

  • We will promote collective bargaining and repeal the Trade Union Act.

  • The Dreyfus Act has been repealed by Congress.

  • The charges against Mr. Jacobowitz were dropped, and Penn repealed its speech code within a year.

    Academic text (1995)
  • Prohibition has been repealed.

  • The government plans to repeal the outdated law next year to reflect modern standards.

Synonyms

to lift
vsto repeal
255 4.2

To officially end a rule or restriction

is used for formal laws and rules rather than only for lifting bans
to cancel
vsto repeal
224 1.0

To make a ticket, order, or rule no longer valid

is focused on laws and rules rather than on general items like tickets
to overturn
vsto repeal
  • Formal
122 5.6

Officially cancel a decision or law

is a general official cancellation and does not require a higher authority
to abolish
vsto repeal
112 4.1

To officially end a law, system, or practice

targets cancelling a law or rule specifically rather than ending wide systems
to reverse
vsto repeal
  • Formal
109 4.9

To officially cancel a previous decision, especially by a court

applies mainly to laws and rules rather than only reversing decisions
to undo
vsto repeal
102 2.6

Cancel the effect of an action or decision

is an official legal action focused on laws and rules not general reversals
to revoke
vsto repeal
  • Formal
96 6.2

Officially stop something from being valid, for example a license

applies mainly to laws and rules rather than to personal privileges
to strike down
vsto repeal
  • Formal
50 7.4

Declare a law or rule no longer valid

covers official cancellation generally rather than only judicial invalidation
to rescind
vsto repeal
  • Formal
44 7.9

Officially cancel a law, order, or agreement

focuses specifically on laws and rules rather than on many document types
to invalidate
vsto repeal
  • Formal
33 6.1

To make a document or agreement have no legal effect anymore

is used mainly for laws and rules rather than broadly removing legal acceptability
to nullify
vsto repeal
  • Formal
15 7.2

To make a law or contract have no legal effect

describes official cancellation of legal force rather than focusing on declaration
to vacate
vsto repeal
  • Formal
15 6.6

Cancel an official decision so it is no longer in effect

is used for laws and rules rather than only for decisions or judgments
to quash
vsto repeal
  • Formal
11 8.1

Officially say a decision or order is not valid

is applied to laws and rules in general rather than only judicial rejection
to abrogate
vsto repeal
  • Formal
10 8.8

To officially cancel a law, agreement, or right

is applied generally rather than only in formal legislative procedure
to countermand
vsto repeal
  • Formal
6 9.2

To cancel or reverse an earlier order

is used for laws and rules rather than narrowly for commands or orders
to annul
vsto repeal
  • Formal
6 6.3

Officially say that a law, contract, or marriage is no longer valid

is used for laws and rules in general not only contracts or marriages
to disannul
vsto repeal
  • Formal
9.3

To cancel an earlier decision that said something was not valid so it becomes valid again

is the modern general action of cancelling laws rather than an archaic term
to sublate
vsto repeal
  • Archaic
9.9

To officially take away a law or custom

is the modern official action for cancelling laws rather than an old formal term

Antonyms

to enact
  • Formal
172 4.7

To make a rule into law by an official vote or order

How Complete

to abolish
112 4.1
to repeal
  • Formal
143 4.3
to annul
  • Formal
6 6.3
to rescind
  • Formal
44 7.9
to revoke
  • Formal
96 6.2
to suspend
141 3.9

Surface Forms

repeal infinitive
repealed past
repealed past participle
repealing present participle
repeals third person singular

Etymology

Repeal comes from two parts: re- 'again' and pel 'push', the same root as repel and propel. So to repeal a law is like 'pushing it back' and removing it from effect.