repeal
repeal — verb
- repealpresent simple I / you / we / they
- repeals3rd person singular
- repealing-ing form
- repealedpast simple
1. To formally cancel a law or statute through an official legislative process, rem
To formally cancel a law or statute through an official legislative process, removing it from the legal code so that it ceases to have binding force.
In 2023, the state legislature voted to repeal the unpopular soda tax.
repeal + direct object: the unpopular soda tax
Wei urged the city council to repeal the parking rule that angered local shop owners.
After months of public pressure, lawmakers finally repealed the emergency security act.
The town board repealed the noise ordinance after residents complained it was unfair.
Dahlia wrote a newspaper article arguing that the government should repeal the old libel law.
- enact
the opposite legislative action — to formally make a law official
文法句型
repeal + noun phrase (a law, act, legislation, amendment)
用法筆記
Normally used in legal and political contexts. The direct object is typically a piece of legislation, such as a law, act, amendment, regulation, or ordinance. It cannot be used for cancelling personal decisions, contracts, or informal agreements.
常見錯誤
repeal — noun
1. The official act of cancelling a legislative provision so that it stops being pa
The official act of cancelling a legislative provision so that it stops being part of the legal system and no longer carries any binding authority.
Supporters of the repeal gathered outside the parliament building holding signs.
the repeal — used as a countable noun with 'the'
The repeal of the Prohibition Act in 1933 ended a turbulent period in American history.
the repeal of [specific act] — common of-construction
Nia celebrated the repeal of the housing regulation she had campaigned against for years.
Senator Osei argued strongly against the repeal of the environmental protection rules.
The committee recommended the full repeal of the emergency measures introduced last year.
- abolition
broader — often used for systems, institutions, or practices (e.g., slavery) rather than a specific statute
- abrogation
very formal legal term for the annulment of a law by an authoritative act
- enactment
the process of making a law official and putting it into effect
文法句型
the repeal of [law/act]
[adjective] repeal of [law/act]
用法筆記
Often appears in the construction 'the repeal of [specific law]'. Can be used both as a countable noun ('a repeal', 'the repeal') and an uncountable noun ('full repeal', 'call for repeal'). Distinguish from the verb sense (noun/1 refers to the process or outcome, while verb/1 refers to the action performed by a legislative body).