repeal
ri-PEEL
/rɪˈpiːl/
To revoke or withdraw (a law, act, or agreement). (verb) The action of revoking a law or act. (noun)
Implies a formal cancellation of an existing law, making it no longer valid. It's a complete undoing, not just an amendment.
The story behind the word. The word 'repeal' comes from the Old French 'repeler', meaning 'to call back'. It's formed from 're-' (meaning 'back') and 'apeler' (meaning 'to call'). In a legal context, to 'repeal' a law is to formally 'call it back' or annul it, effectively making it as if it was never passed. It's a powerful legislative undoing.
Word relationships
- revoke: Often interchangeable, but 'revoke' can apply to licenses or privileges, while 'repeal' is almost exclusively for laws or acts.
- annul: To declare (a marriage or other legal contract) invalid; similar to repeal but often in different legal contexts.
- cancel: More general; 'repeal' is a formal, legislative cancellation of a law.
- enact: To make a law, the direct opposite of repealing it.
- pass: To approve and make a law, contrasting with its removal.
Commonly confused with
- amend: 'Repeal' cancels a law; 'amend' changes it.
Collocations
- repeal a law
- repeal an act
- call for repeal
- successful repeal
Example sentences
- "Activists are campaigning to repeal the controversial new tax law, arguing it unfairly burdens low-income families." Political Debate
- "The 18th Amendment, which established Prohibition, was later repealed by the 21st Amendment." Historical Legislation
Memory hook
To 'REPEAL' is to 'RE'move a law, making it 'PEEL' away from the books. Remove law
When not to use
Do not use 'repeal' if a law is merely being changed or updated; 'amend' would be more appropriate. 'Repeal' means to get rid of it entirely.
Fun facts
- The 21st Amendment is the only amendment to the U.S. Constitution that repeals another amendment (the 18th).
- The power to repeal laws is as fundamental to a legislature as the power to enact them.
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