Repeal

/ɹəˈpiːl/ · verb

Meaning

(transitive) To cancel, invalidate, annul..

Definitions by Sense

1. (transitive) To cancel, invalidate, annul.
2. To recall; to summon (a person) again; to bring (a person) back from exile or banishment.
3. To suppress; to repel.
4. An act or instance of repealing.

Example Sentences

to repeal a law

1776, Samuel Johnson, letter to James Boswell, cited in James Boswell, The Life of Samuel Johnson, London: Charles Dilly, 1791, p. 8, As manners make laws, manners likewise repeal them.

[…] I here divorce myself Both from thy table, Henry, and thy bed, Until that act of parliament be repeal’d Whereby my son is disinherited.

It requires but a very small glance of thought to perceive, that altho’ laws made in one generation often continue in force through succeeding generations, yet that they continue to derive their force from the consent of the living. A law not repealed continues in force, not because it cannot be repealed, but because it is not repealed; and the non-repealing passes for consent.

Labour says it will repeal the legislation if it wins the next General Election.

There weepe, for till my Gaueston be repeald, Assure thy selfe thou comst not in my sight.

The banish’d Bolingbroke repeals himself, And with uplifted arms is safe arrived […]

Whence Adam soon repeal’d The doubts that in his heart arose.

Synonyms for repeal

Antonyms for repeal

Related Words

Word Forms

• repeals
• repealing
• repealed

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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