Definition of: abolish

(ə·bol′ish) v.t.
To do away with; put an end to; annul; destroy. [<F aboliss-, stem of abolir <L abolescere decay, vanish, inceptive of abolere destroy]
—a·bol′ish·a·ble adjective
—a·bol′·ish·er noun
—a·bol′ish·ment n. Synonyms: abate, abrogate, annihilate, annul, destroy, end, eradicate, exterminate, extirpate, nullify, obliterate, overthrow, prohibit, remove, repeal, reverse, revoke, subvert, supplant, suppress, terminate. Abolish is now used only of institutions, customs, and conditions, especially those wide-spread and long-existing; as, to abolish poverty. A building that is burned to the ground is said to be destroyed by fire. Annihilate signifies to put absolutely out of existence. Matter is never annihilated, but only changes its form. Abolish is not said of laws. There we use repeal, abrogate, nullify, etc.; repeal by the enacting body, nullify by revolutionary proceedings; a later statute abrogates, without formally repealing, any earlier law with which it conflicts. An appellate court may reverse or set aside the decision of an inferior court. Overthrow may be used in either a good or a bad sense; suppress is commonly in a good, subvert always in a bad sense; as to subvert our liberties; to suppress a rebellion. The law prohibits what may never have existed; it abolishes an existing evil. We abate a nuisance, terminate a controversy. Compare CANCEL, DEMOLISH, EXTERMINATE. Antonyms: authorize, cherish, confirm, continue, enact, establish, institute, introduce, legalize, promote, reinstate, renew, repair, restore, revive, support, sustain.