veto

USAGE SUMMARY

'veto' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use 'veto' when you want to indicate that someone in authority has the right to reject or prohibit a decision or proposal made by another person or group. Example sentence: The President has the power to veto any legislation passed by Congress.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Last year Clegg told Cameron that the police and MI5, which want to retain UK involvement in most of the justice measures, should be given a veto.

The Guardian

Moving on 20 years to December 2011, when Cameron used Britain's veto to block an EU-wide treaty, the Sun greeted the news with a splash headlined "Up Eurs" with a photoshopped picture of "bulldog" Cameron giving a two-fingered salute.

The Guardian

Nick Clegg has removed one of the barriers to a second coalition deal with the Conservatives by refusing to veto an in-out referendum on European Union membership, and instead insisted that the Tories backtrack on their plans for £12bn of welfare cuts.

The Guardian

Robinson said Sinn Féin's announcement that they will veto the welfare bill was "hamfisted".

The Guardian

Under the complex rules of devolution if two parties or more issue a "petition of concern" it can veto any proposed legislation as it would not have cross community support.

The Guardian

The federal government's power over the territories has changed since Howard used his executive veto.

The Guardian

'I've got the pen': Obama urges passage of legislation to extend middle income tax cuts, and promises to authorise it immediately The White House confirmed that Obama would be prepared to veto any legislation that maintained the Bush-era tax cuts on upper income earners.

The Guardian

The White House has said Obama would veto Corker's bill, but aides to the president are increasingly alarmed at the prospect of the legislation receiving the two-thirds majority that overrides the presidential veto.

The Guardian

Meanwhile Cameron and his media allies have made the "SNP veto" a major theme of their campaign to motivate disgruntled English voters.

The Guardian

But Sinn Féin and the SDLP exercised a veto known as the "petition of concern" where bills can be defeated if one side of the sectarian/political divide claims there is insufficient cross-community support for the law.

The Guardian

Sinn Fein is deeply opposed to putting the institutions on hold, which it sees as bowing to the unionist veto.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be mindful of the connotations of "veto", as it implies a position of authority or control. Use it accurately to reflect the power dynamics at play.

Common error

Avoid assuming that anyone can "veto" anything. The term applies only when someone has the explicit authority to block a decision, usually within a specific political or organizational structure.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "veto" is to act as both a noun, referring to the power to reject, and a verb, signifying the act of rejecting something using that power. Ludwig AI confirms the dual nature, providing examples where "veto" functions in both capacities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "veto" is frequently encountered in news and formal contexts, serving both as a noun and a verb to denote the power to reject or the act of rejecting a decision, respectively. As Ludwig AI confirms, its proper use requires understanding the formal authority it implies. While alternatives like "block" or "reject" exist, "veto" specifically highlights a formal power dynamic. Remember that not everyone possesses the right to "veto", and it’s crucial to accurately reflect the power dynamics when using this term.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

block

A more general term for preventing something from happening, often used in less formal contexts.

reject

Implies a refusal to accept something, often after consideration.

overrule

To reverse a decision made by someone else, implying a higher authority.

nullify

To make something legally void or ineffective.

invalidate

Similar to nullify, but can also refer to discrediting something.

prohibit

To formally forbid something by law or authority.

interdict

A formal prohibition, often with a legal or religious connotation.

disallow

To refuse to allow something.

forbid

To order someone not to do something.

decline

A polite refusal.

FAQs

How is "veto" typically used in a sentence?

"Veto" can be used as a noun referring to the power itself, or as a verb meaning to reject something using that power. For example, "The president has the power of veto" or "The president can veto the bill".

What are some alternative words for "veto"?

Depending on the context, you can use words like "block", "reject", or "overrule" as alternatives to "veto".

When is it appropriate to use "veto" as opposed to simply saying "reject"?

"Veto" is more appropriate when referring to a formal power or right to reject something, often within a political or organizational context. "Reject" is a more general term for refusing to accept something.

Can anyone "veto" something, or is it limited to specific roles?

The power to "veto" is not universal. It is typically reserved for individuals or bodies with specific authority, such as presidents, governors, or members of a governing council. It's a formal power, not just a simple disagreement.