abolish
uh-BO-lihsh
Abolish (verb) means to officially end a law, system, or practice. Example: “The country abolished capital punishment in 1998.”
verb
1
To officially end a law, system, or practice.
"Slavery was abolished in the nineteenth century."
"The country abolished capital punishment in 1998."
"Slavery was abolished in the British Empire in 1833."
How to use abolish
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo officially get rid of something, usually a law, institution, or system — not a physical object.
Common pairings
abolish slavery
abolish a law
call to abolish
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- abolishes
- Past tense
- abolished, abolisht
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The country _____ capital punishment in 1998.
Etymology
From Middle French abolir, from Latin abolere, "to destroy, wipe out."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for abolish
See all rhymes for abolish →Frequently asked questions
What does “abolish” mean?
The word “abolish” means to officially end a law, system, or practice. In plain terms, to officially get rid of something, usually a law, institution, or system — not a physical object.
How do you pronounce “abolish”?
“Abolish” is pronounced uh-BO-lihsh (/əˈbɑl.ɪʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “abolish” in a sentence?
Here is “abolish” used in a sentence: “The country abolished capital punishment in 1998.”
What part of speech is “abolish”?
“Abolish” is a verb.
Where does the word “abolish” come from?
The word “abolish” comes from Latin. From Middle French abolir, from Latin abolere, "to destroy, wipe out.".
Is “abolish” a common word?
“Abolish” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
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