abrogate
Americanverb
Other Word Forms
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 Latin abrogātus repealed (past participle of abrogāre ).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
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Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857)
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Conversely, the department correctly found that the statute did not abrogate long-established privileges, including deliberative-process privilege, work-product privilege and attorney-client privilege.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 23, 2026
While there was pressure to abrogate the Indus Waters Treaty - a key river water sharing agreement - India opted instead to withhold any data beyond treaty obligations, Mr Bisaria writes.
From BBC • May 2, 2025
She declined to cite Windsor, Obergefell, or any other Supreme Court decisions that supersede and abrogate Lofton.
From Slate • Aug. 22, 2023
Duterte took steps, which he later withdrew, to abrogate a key security agreement with the U.S. that allowed large numbers of American forces to enter the Philippines for combat exercises.
From Seattle Times • Jun. 29, 2023
Tending or designed to abrogate; as, an abrogative law.
From Webster's Unabridged Dictionary by Webster, Noah
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.
