verb
repeal
ruh-PEEL
verb
1
To officially cancel a law.
"Parliament voted to repeal the outdated tax law."
"Activists campaigned for years to have the ban repealed."
noun
1
The official cancellation of a law.
"The repeal of the act took effect immediately."
How to Use Repeal
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo officially undo or cancel a law that used to be in force.
Common mistake
Repeal applies to laws and legislation; don't use it for canceling a personal appointment or event.
Common pairings
repeal a law
call for repeal
repeal and replace
Word Forms
repealed past tense, repeals plural, repeals singular
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Parliament voted to _____ the outdated tax law.
Etymology
From Anglo-Norman repeler, from Old French rapeler, "to call back or revoke," ultimately from Latin repellere, "to drive back." A doublet of repel.