Used and loved by millions

Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

MitStanfordHarvardAustralian Nationa UniversityNanyangOxford

abrogate

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "abrogate" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal or formal contexts to indicate the repeal or annulment of a law, agreement, or policy. Example: "The government decided to abrogate the outdated law that no longer served its purpose." Alternatives include "revoke" or "annul."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He said they were in dispute, but said he was confident there would be no unilateral moves by the Tsipras government to default on Greece's debt or abrogate the terms of its bailout agreements with the EU and the International Monetary Fund.

News & Media

The Guardian

But Italians were called to the polls last weekend, for a referendum on whether to abrogate parts of a fertility law enacted in 2004 that banned research using stem cells from embryos, and imposed stringent requirements on test-tube pregnancies.To succeed, the vote needed not just a simple majority but also a quorum of 50% of eligible voters.

News & Media

The Economist

By doing so, they abrogate media freedoms and give themselves more power over the press, which is far more dangerous than furious demonstrations and burned embassies.Odero OkothNairobiSIR – Governments did protect freedom of expression by not persecuting or prosecuting newspapers that published the cartoons.

News & Media

The Economist

Australia and New Zealand, Oceania's heavyweights, had already responded to the coup with unilateral sanctions, sanctions which they duly escalated after Mr Bainimarama's regime decided to abrogate the constitution in 2009.

News & Media

The Economist

Its demands that the Arabs should unilaterally abrogate sanctions, and stop letting American forces attack Iraq from bases in their territory, were ignored.

News & Media

The Economist

The government blamed a bomb attack on an army bus in Colombo on the Tigers, and said it would abrogate the truce, which had "ceased to have any meaning .In Oslo, Erik Solheim, the Norwegian government minister who negotiated the agreement, was naturally downcast.

News & Media

The Economist

Given that the concession to win Republican assent was a line in the law saying the new director will "not abrogate the statutory responsibilities" of the defence secretary or other cabinet members, do not expect huge changes.But the bigger question is whether more co-ordination is the solution to recent intelligence failures anyway.

News & Media

The Economist

The king retains his power over the government, parliament and judges, and can abrogate any constitutional right.

News & Media

The Economist

The late King Hussein threatened to abrogate his peace treaty with Israel in 1997 after the prime minister, Binyamin Netanyahu (then in his first premiership), ordered a failed operation to kill a Hamas leader.

News & Media

The Economist

And you can still keep your gun in your car.James HeimerHoustonSIR – Your debate over allowing weapons in office car-parks missed a key issue, which is whether employers may abrogate their employees' right to self defence when travelling to and from work.

News & Media

The Economist

Yet the move appeared to abrogate the previous understanding that a yet-to-be-formed assembly of perhaps 300 representative Iraqis would themselves select a provisional national authority to fill ministerial posts.

News & Media

The Economist
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "abrogate" in formal and legal contexts where you want to convey the authoritative annulment or repeal of a law, agreement, or right. It is best suited when emphasizing the official or formal nature of the cancellation.

Common error

Avoid using "abrogate" in informal settings or when simpler terms like "cancel" or "end" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound overly formal or pretentious.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

90%

Authority and reliability

4.6/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "abrogate" is as a transitive verb. It requires a direct object, indicating what is being annulled or abolished. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it typically appears in formal and legal contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Encyclopedias

36%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "abrogate" is a transitive verb primarily used in formal and legal contexts to signify the authoritative annulment or repeal of something established. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common use in sources like news media and encyclopedias. The phrase carries a formal tone and should be used judiciously, avoiding overuse in informal settings. Consider alternatives such as "repeal", "revoke", or "annul" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Its prevalence in authoritative sources reinforces its suitability for professional, academic, and legal writing. Remember that the core function of the term is to formally cancel established agreements, laws or rights.

FAQs

How to use "abrogate" in a sentence?

The word "abrogate" is typically used to describe the act of officially revoking or repealing a law, agreement, or custom. For example, "The treaty was abrogated after a series of violations".

What can I say instead of "abrogate"?

You can use alternatives like "repeal", "revoke", or "annul" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "abrogate" or "repeal"?

"Abrogate" and "repeal" are often used interchangeably, but "abrogate" generally implies a more formal or authoritative cancellation. "Repeal" is often used specifically for laws.

What's the difference between "abrogate" and "invalidate"?

"Abrogate" means to officially cancel or abolish, while "invalidate" means to make something without legal force or effect. "Abrogate" is an active removal, while "invalidate" is a declaration of ineffectiveness.

ChatGPT power + Grammarly precisionChatGPT power + Grammarly precision
ChatGPT + Grammarly

Editing plus AI, all in one place.

Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.

Source & Trust

90%

Authority and reliability

4.6/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: