abrogate
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
-
abrogationnoun
-
abrogableadjective
-
unabrogatedadjective
-
unabrogativeadjective
-
unabrogableadjective
-
abrogativeadjective
-
nonabrogableadjective
-
abrogatornoun
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
have abrogatedperfect
-
has abrogatedperfect 3rd person singular
-
am abrogatingprogressive 1st person singular
-
are abrogatingprogressive
-
is abrogatingprogressive 3rd person singular
-
have been abrogatingperfect progressive
-
abrogatessingular 3rd person
-
has been abrogatingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
-
abrogatingparticiple
Past
-
had abrogatedperfect
-
had been abrogatingperfect progressive
-
were abrogatingprogressive plural
-
abrogatedsimple
-
was abrogatingprogressive singular
-
abrogatedparticiple
Future
Etymology
Origin of abrogate
1520–30; < Latin abrogātus repealed (past participle of abrogāre ). See ab-, rogation, -ate 1
Explanation
Abrogate means to abolish or avoid. When someone cuts in front of you in line, they are abrogating your right to be the next one served. When you cut in line, you are abrogating your responsibility to those who were in line before you. The Latin root of this word is made up of the prefix ab- "away" and rogare "to propose a law." What does it mean if you propose a law away? You repeal it, of course, so abrogate means to officially revoke, cancel or abolish. The meaning of this word has expanded a bit since its earliest usage, but it still appears most often in a legal or political context, or when serious rights and responsibilities are being discussed.
Vocabulary lists containing abrogate
100 Words Every High School Graduate Should Know
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
300 Most Difficult "SAT" Words
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857)
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
