repeal
ri-PEEL
/rɪˈpiːl/
To officially revoke, annul, or rescind a law, statute, or decision.
Applies strictly to legislative or sovereign acts that invalidate existing law.
The story behind the word. Came into Middle English via Anglo-French 'repeler' (to call back or recall), from Old French 're-' (back) and 'apeler' (to call). It meant calling back a proclamation or decree that had been sent forth.
Word relationships
- revoke: 'Revoke' applies broadly to licenses, privileges, or decrees.
- nullify: 'Nullify' means to make legally void or deprive of value.
- enact: 'Enact' means to pass or establish a law.
- reaffirm: 'Reaffirm' means to formally confirm or uphold an existing law.
Commonly confused with
- appeal: 'Repeal' means to void a law; 'appeal' means to request a higher authority or court to reverse a ruling.
Word family
- repealable (adjective): Capable of being legally revoked.
Collocations
- repeal a law
- repeal legislation
- vote to repeal
- call for the repeal
Example sentences
- "Parliament voted to repeal the unpopular tax law after months of public protests." Legislative History
- "The 21st Amendment was ratified to repeal Prohibition in the United States." Constitutional History
Memory hook
RE-PEEL: PEEL away an old law layer by layer until it's gone. Calling back a law from existence.
When not to use
Do not use for canceling personal invitations, promises, or casual contracts (use 'cancel' or 'rescind').
Fun facts
- The 'Corn Laws Repeal' of 1846 in Britain was a watershed moment that established free trade principles in Western economic history.
Also appears in
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