What does repealing mean?
Repealing means formally abolishing a law, rule, regulation, privilege, or decision so that it no longer has effect. The word is particularly associated with legislatures, courts, and other institutions with the authority to create or withdraw legal rules. It is more precise than simply saying that something is being ignored or discouraged: repeal indicates an actual removal from force. The verb can also describe withdrawing an earlier decision, permission, or entitlement, as when an organization repeals a policy. In everyday conversation, people are more likely to use revoke or cancel, but repealing conveys the formal and potentially permanent character of removing a rule from official operation. Its past tense is repealed, and its third-person singular form is repeals.
verbTo repeal a law, rule, or privilege is to abolish it or remove it from force. The word can also refer to withdrawing a previous decision, permission, or entitlement.
- To abolish a law, rule, regulation, or privilege.
- To withdraw or revoke a decision, permission, grant, or entitlement.
"The legislature voted to repeal the controversial law after months of public protest."
"The court ruled that the regulation should be repealed immediately."
"The board repealed its earlier decision to close the program."
"Parliament debated whether to repeal the ban on the practice."
Repealing a law does not merely delay it or weaken it; it removes that law from force.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does repealing come from?
The word repealing is formed from repeal, a verb meaning to abolish or withdraw. Repeal comes through Anglo-French from Latin repellere, a verb meaning to drive back or repel, and its legal sense developed by extension from driving back a law or privilege. The English family is connected to Latin repetere, the root behind forms such as repeat, repent, and replica, although the precise historical pathway of each development varies.
Related word forms
How repealing is actually used
The word is formal and especially common in legal, governmental, and institutional contexts. In general usage, it is more often used with laws, regulations, and decisions than with ordinary personal actions.
Easily confused with repealing
Repealing means abolishing or withdrawing a law, decision, or privilege, whereas repeating means doing or saying something again.
Repealing removes something from legal or formal effect, while rejecting usually means refusing to accept or approve it.