repealed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "repealed" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal or formal contexts to indicate that a law, regulation, or policy has been officially revoked or annulled. Example: "The outdated law was repealed by the new legislation passed last week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The brilliance of the Graetz plan is that no tax expenditures need to be repealed.

The New York Times

It is impossible to imagine modern Australia without Medicare, our universal healthcare scheme, which was introduced by the Whitlam government, repealed by the Coalition and then introduced by Labor again.

The Guardian

Nevertheless, as the Treasury Secretary reminded his rather complacent audience: 'The laws of economics have not been repealed, much less those of human psychology.' Between the lines of recent remarks by Summers and his predecessor, Robert Rubin, one detects serious concern about the US stock market, the ballooning US trade deficit and the dependence of the US economy on 'other people's money'.

The Guardian - Business

If not repealed by the 1 July start date, the increase in the tax-free threshold from $18,200 to $19,400 and changes to the low-income tax offset will add up to a tax cut worth more than $200 a year for people earning between $22,000 and $37,000, with smaller benefits flowing to those earning up to $60,000.

The Guardian

Its sole remaining purpose was to extend the Treason Act 1800 to Northern Ireland – legislation that was itself repealed in 1967.

The Guardian

The UPA had repealed the tough Prevention of Terrorism Act when it came to power on grounds that it was abused by the security agencies.

The Guardian

"Death by a thousand cuts", they call it, as small chunks of habitat are lost and environmental laws are eased or repealed.

The Guardian

At his campaign launch in Kentucky, Paul pledged: "I see an America where criminal justice is applied equally, and any law that disproportionately incarcerates people of color is repealed".

The Guardian

The Tories' anti-trade union laws were immediately repealed and a series of complicated laws was introduced which re-established the power of the unions.

The Guardian

One parliament cannot bind another, so the act could simply be repealed if there were a majority for doing that.

The Guardian

He has come out in favor of reinstating the Glass-Steagall Act (the New Deal-era banking regulations which were repealed under Bill Clinton) and granting driver's licenses to undocumented immigrants, both of which Hillary Clinton opposes.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "repealed" when referring to the formal cancellation of a law, act, or regulation. It indicates a deliberate and official action taken by a governing body.

Common error

Avoid using "repealed" in casual conversation or informal writing. The word is best suited for formal or legal contexts where the revocation of a law or regulation is being discussed. Opt for alternatives like "canceled" or "revoked" in less formal situations.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "repealed" is as the past participle or past tense of the verb 'repeal'. It typically functions as an adjective describing a law or regulation that has been officially revoked or annulled. Ludwig provides numerous examples of this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Unknown

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "repealed" is commonly used to describe the official revocation or annulment of a law or regulation. As Ludwig confirms, it is grammatically correct and most appropriate in formal contexts, particularly in news and legal settings. While alternatives like "revoked" or "rescinded" exist, "repealed" carries a specific connotation of legislative action. Therefore, using it accurately enhances the precision and formality of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

revoked

Focuses on the act of officially taking back a decree, order, or privilege.

annulled

Emphasizes the cancellation or invalidation of something, especially legally.

rescinded

Highlights the act of officially retracting or canceling something.

abrogated

Implies the formal abolition of a law, right, or agreement.

invalidated

Stresses that something has been made legally void or ineffective.

overturned

Refers to reversing a previous decision or ruling.

nullified

Suggests making something legally void or of no effect.

voided

Implies the act of making something completely ineffective.

set aside

Indicates the act of rejecting or not considering something.

canceled

A more general term for stopping something from happening or being valid.

FAQs

How is "repealed" typically used in a sentence?

The term "repealed" is used to describe the act of officially revoking or annulling a law or regulation. For example: "The outdated law was repealed by the new legislation."

What are some alternatives to saying a law was "repealed"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "revoked", "annulled", or "rescinded" instead of "repealed".

Is it correct to say a contract was "repealed"?

While "repealed" typically refers to laws, you might use "rescinded" or "annulled" when referring to a contract that has been formally cancelled. "Repealed" is generally reserved for legislative actions.

What is the difference between "repealed" and "overturned"?

"Repealed" refers to the cancellation of a law by a legislative body, whereas "overturned" usually describes the reversal of a legal decision by a higher court.