an absolute veto

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an absolute veto" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing decision-making powers, particularly in political or organizational settings where one party has the power to completely reject a proposal or decision. Example: "In this legislative body, the president holds an absolute veto over any bill passed by Congress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

This gave the Lib Dems an absolute veto in the departments they controlled.

The Guardian

"She has an absolute veto over certain public-policy issues, because Democrats are not going to cross her.

The New Yorker

The Legislative Assembly was held on a checkrein by a presidentially appointed governor who shared with the President an absolute veto over legislation.

Cornell University

No other country in the world has British-style devolution, in which the centre retains an absolute veto over the periphery.

The Guardian - Opinion

A change in 2011 means that an absolute veto is now in place, covering correspondence from the monarch, the heir to the throne and the second in line – currently the Queen, the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cambridge.

The Guardian

By Ryan Lizza Barney Frank, the former congressman from Massachusetts, said that Warren "has an absolute veto over certain public-policy issues, because Democrats are not going to cross her".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Hamilton also proposed a senate chosen for life during good behavior and an executive with absolute veto power.

Yale University

But a month later, the attorney-general, Dominic Grieve, with the support of the cabinet, overturned the judges' ruling and blocked the publication of the letters, under a seldom used absolute veto.

The Guardian

For now, we have agreed that I will not submit a picture for a publication without her permission and that she has absolute veto rights on any image of herself.

The Washington Post

Can we really accept that a few pen pushers in the Home Office should have absolute veto over our online browsing habits?

The Guardian - Opinion

I want... absolute veto power over any further marrying on Johnny's part.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an absolute veto" when you want to emphasize the unrestricted and irreversible nature of a rejection. It's particularly effective in political, legal, or organizational contexts where a single entity holds ultimate decision-making power.

Common error

Avoid using "an absolute veto" when the power to reject is not final or can be overridden. Ensure that the context truly reflects an unchallengeable right to block a decision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an absolute veto" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a specific type of power or right. As shown by Ludwig, it emphasizes the finality and unchallengeable nature of the veto.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "an absolute veto" signifies an unchallengeable power to reject something, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is grammatically sound and most frequently used in news, academic, and wiki contexts. While alternatives like "complete rejection" or "unappealable veto" exist, the original phrase is often preferred for its directness in emphasizing ultimate decision-making authority. Remember to use "an absolute veto" when the power of rejection is truly final and cannot be overridden.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unappealable veto

Highlights the fact that the veto cannot be challenged or overturned.

right of refusal

Emphasizes the entitlement to reject something.

complete rejection

Emphasizes the act of refusing something entirely, rather than the power behind it.

conclusive objection

Focuses on the finality and decisiveness of the disagreement.

total prohibition

Highlights the forbidding aspect, implying something is not allowed at all.

unqualified denial

Focuses on the lack of conditions or limitations in the refusal.

definitive no

A more informal way to express a final and irreversible rejection.

ultimate disallowance

Implies a final authority preventing something from happening.

final say

Focuses on the power to make the ultimate decision, implying the ability to reject.

power of preclusion

A more formal and abstract way of describing the ability to prevent something.

FAQs

What does "an absolute veto" mean?

The term "an absolute veto" refers to the unrestricted power to reject a proposal or decision, which cannot be overridden by any other party.

How is "an absolute veto" different from a regular veto?

A regular veto might be overridable (e.g. by a supermajority), whereas "an absolute veto" is final and cannot be overturned.

Where might I encounter the phrase "an absolute veto"?

You'll often find "an absolute veto" discussed in contexts such as political science, corporate governance, or international relations, where power dynamics are critical.

What are some alternatives to the phrase "an absolute veto"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "complete rejection", "total prohibition", or "unappealable veto".