abolish

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'abolish' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of officially ending a law, system, custom, or practice. For example: The government decided to abolish slavery in all of its colonies.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He would abolish the income tax for the vast bulk of Americans and replace the revenue with a 12.5 percent value-added tax.

The New York Times

However, Franks, comparing the anti-abortion movement to the campaign to abolish slavery, said the issue cut to the heart of the founding principles of the GOP.

The Guardian

She attacked the party for refusing to say it would abolish the bedroom tax, failing to speak up for the rights of immigrants and saying benefit cuts "aren't deep enough".

The Guardian

Next, he took on healthcare – with some of the worst infant mortality rates in the world, Sierra Leone's programme to abolish user fees for children under five and pregnant mothers was an ambitious and impressive programme of reform.

The Guardian

Having promised to "abolish the bureaucracy", the government is trebling the number of statutory commissioning bodies from 163 to over 500.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Lib Dems, eager to restore credibility on the issue in the wake of their broken 2010 election pledge to abolish tuition fees, claim that the Labour plan will help richer graduates.

The Guardian

Asked whether family tax relief was possible this year, he pointed to the measure he would prefer to abolish, saying: "There is a scheduled tax cut that is still on the books to kick in this year and that is a change in the threshold that is a legacy from the carbon tax".

The Guardian

It's a green bank basically, set up as part of the clean energy package that the Coalition wants to abolish.

The Guardian

The Senate has again rejected the government's bill to abolish the CEFC.

The Guardian

Littler also says the $10bn Clean Energy Finance Corporation – which the government is seeking to abolish – "appears to be a good thing … but we need to see more detail".

The Guardian

Inside the Belfast Hilton hotel on Wednesday, he announced his strategic review of parading issues intended, ultimately, to abolish the commission altogether.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "abolish", ensure that the subject has the authority to end the system, law, or practice being discussed. For instance, governments can "abolish" laws, but individuals generally cannot.

Common error

Avoid using "abolish" when referring to something that is merely disliked or avoided. "Abolish" implies a formal and authoritative end to a system, practice, or law, not just personal preferences.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "abolish" is as a transitive verb. It requires a direct object, indicating what is being ended or eliminated. Ludwig AI examples show it used to describe ending laws, systems, and practices.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "abolish" is a transitive verb used to describe the formal end of a system, law, or practice. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and widespread use, particularly in news and media. While grammatically straightforward, it is essential to use "abolish" with appropriate subjects and objects to maintain accuracy. Alternative phrases like "eliminate" or "repeal" can be used depending on the specific context. Remember that the most common error consists in using this word referring to things that are merely disliked or avoided.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

eliminate

Suggests complete removal, often in a systematic way.

do away with

This phrase implies getting rid of something, often something undesirable.

repeal

Specifically refers to revoking or annulling a law or regulation.

revoke

Implies taking back or cancelling something, such as a privilege or order.

get rid of

A more informal way to say "abolish", indicating disposal or removal.

nullify

To make something void or without legal force.

cancel

To decide that an arranged event will not happen.

terminate

To bring something to an end or halt.

eradicate

To destroy completely; put an end to.

liquidate

To wind up the affairs of (a company or firm) by ascertaining liabilities and apportioning assets.

FAQs

How can I use "abolish" in a sentence?

You can use "abolish" to describe the act of formally ending a law, system, or practice. For example, "The government decided to abolish the tax". This implies a formal and authoritative end.

What's the difference between "repeal" and "abolish"?

"Abolish" generally refers to ending any system or practice, while "repeal" specifically refers to revoking a law or statute. Thus, "repeal" is a more specific form of "abolish".

What can I say instead of "abolish"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "eliminate", "get rid of", or "do away with". Each of these carries a slightly different nuance.

Is it correct to say "abolish a person"?

No, it's generally incorrect to say "abolish a person". "Abolish" is used for systems, laws, or practices, not for individuals. A more appropriate verb might be "eliminate" in certain extreme contexts, but it's crucial to consider the ethical implications.