What does rescinded mean?
“Rescinded” is the past tense and past participle of “rescind,” a formal verb meaning to cancel or annul something that had previously been authorized, agreed, or officially decided. It is commonly used in legal, governmental, administrative, and business contexts, as in rescinding a contract, regulation, order, permit, or offer. The word suggests a deliberate act that removes the validity or authority of an earlier decision; it is more formal and precise than simply saying that something was cancelled. “Rescinded” can also form the perfect tense, such as “has rescinded,” and the passive construction, such as “the order was rescinded.” Although cancellation does not necessarily erase the historical fact that the decision was made, it means that the decision no longer has legal or official effect. The word is especially useful when describing the reversal of a formal act.
verbTo formally cancel or annul something, such as a contract, law, permit, or official decision. As a past-tense and past-participle form, “rescinded” describes the action as completed.
- To formally cancel, annul, or revoke an agreement, law, order, decision, authorization, or offer, thereby removing its authority or effect.
"The committee rescinded its earlier decision after reviewing the new evidence."
"The government rescinded the regulation shortly after it was introduced."
"Both parties agreed to rescind the agreement and return to the previous arrangement."
A decision can be undone: to rescind is to make an earlier official act as if it had never existed.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does rescinded come from?
“Rescind” comes from Latin “rescindere,” formed from the prefix “re-,” meaning back, and “scindere,” meaning to split or break. In Latin legal usage, the word referred to cutting back or annulling a decision or obligation. English borrowed it in the 17th century with the meaning of cancelling or revoking an agreement, law, or official act. Related forms include “rescission,” a noun meaning annulment, and “scission,” meaning a splitting or division.
Related word forms
How rescinded is actually used
“Rescinded” is formal and usually applies to something issued or authorized, especially a legal rule, official decision, contract, permit, or offer. It is often used with documents, powers, regulations, and decisions rather than ordinary personal actions.
Easily confused with rescinded
“Rescinded” means formally cancelled or annulled, whereas “resigned” usually means voluntarily gave up a position or accepted an unavoidable outcome.