English vocabulary · C2
Abrogate
/ˈæbrəɡeɪt/ · v.
It means to officially end or cancel a law or agreement.
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Example sentences
- The new government moved to abrogate the old treaty.
- The court chose to abrogate that outdated law.
Word origin and roots
from Latin
- ab — away (from Latin)
- rog — ask (from Latin)
Synonyms and nuances
- CANCEL — stop something planned (General & Common)
- REPEAL — officially remove a law (Legal & Formal)
- REVOKE — take back a right or permission (Authority-Focused)
Words with the same root
rog — ask
- derogatory — showing disrespect or scorn
- surrogate — a person who acts in place of another
- prerogative — a special right held only by one person or group
Lesson notes
Abrogate. It means to officially end or cancel a law or agreement.
Similar words are cancel, repeal, and revoke. Use abrogate when an official group ends a formal agreement by force.
The new government moved to abrogate the old treaty. The court chose to abrogate that outdated law.
From Latin. Ab- means away. Rog- means ask. Pushing a request away until it has no power — that is abrogate.