To do away with; put an end to; destroy; efface or obliterate; annihilate: as, to abolish customs or institutions; to abolish slavery; to abolish idols (Isa. ii. 18); to abolish death (2 Tim. i. 10).
Synonyms To Abolish, Repeal, Rescind, Recall, Revoke, Abrogate, Annul, Cancel, end, destroy, do away with, set aside, nullify, annihilate, quash, vacate, make void, extirpate, eradicate, suppress, uproot, erase, expunge. Abolish is a strong word, and signifies a complete removal, generally but not always by a summary act. It is the word specially used in connection with things that have been long established or deeply rooted, as an institution or a custom: as, to abolish slavery or polygamy. Repeal is generally used of the formal rescinding of a legislative act. Abrogate, to abolish summarily, more often as the act of a ruler, but sometimes of a representative body. Annul, literally to bring to nothing, to deprive of all force or obligation, as a law or contract. Rescind (literally, to cut short) is coextensive in meaning with both repeal and annul. Recall, revoke (see renounce). Cancel is not used of laws, but of deeds, bonds, contracts, etc., and figuratively of whatever may be thought of as crossed out.