Repeal Meaning
/ɹəˈpiːl/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
verbTo cancel, invalidate, annul.
verbTo recall; to summon (a person) again; to bring (a person) back from exile or banishment.
Sentence Examples
The Republicans want to repeal Obamacare.
I think they should repeal that law.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The government decided to ____ the unpopular law after widespread protests.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The campaign sought to ____ the outdated law that had been on the books for over a century.
Word Origin & History
From Anglo-Norman repeler, from Old French rapeler (“to call back, call in, call after, revoke”), from Latin repellō (“drive or thrust back”), from re- and pellō (“push or strike”). Doublet of repel.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"[…] I here divorce myself
Both from thy table, Henry, and thy bed,
Until that act of parliament be repeal’d
Whereby my son is disinherited."
— c. 1591–1592 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Third Part of Henry the Sixt, […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene i]:
"It requires but a very small glance of thought to perceive, that altho’ laws made in one generation often continue in force through succeeding generations, yet that they continue to derive their force from the consent of the living. A law not repealed continues in force, not because it cannot be repealed, but because it is not repealed; and the non-repealing passes for consent."
— 1791, Thomas Paine, Rights of Man: Being an Answer to Mr. Burke’s Attack on the French Revolution, London: […] J. S. Jordan, […], →OCLC, page 15:
"Labour says it will repeal the legislation if it wins the next General Election."
— 2024 February 7, Mel Holley, “Network News: War of words between Prime Minister and union”, in RAIL, number 1002, page 14:
"There weepe, for till my Gaueston be repeald,
Assure thy selfe thou comst not in my sight."
— 1594, Christopher Marlow[e], The Troublesome Raigne and Lamentable Death of Edward the Second, King of England: […], London: […] [Eliot’s Court Press] for Henry Bell, […], published 1622, →OCLC, (please specify the page):
"The banish’d Bolingbroke repeals himself,
And with uplifted arms is safe arrived […]"
— 1595 December 9 (first known performance), William Shakespeare, “The Life and Death of King Richard the Second”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies: Published According to the True Originall Copies (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene 2]:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The government decided to ____ the unpopular law after widespread protests.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The campaign sought to ____ the outdated law that had been on the books for over a century.