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rescind

American  
[ri-sind] / rɪˈsɪnd /

verb (used with object)

  • rescinds,
    present (3rd person singular)
  • rescinded,
    past participle,  past
  • rescinding
    present participle
  1. An image of the word rescind as defined by to abrogate; annul; revoke; repeal.

    to abrogate; annul; revoke; repeal.

    Synonyms:
    withdraw, retract, nullify
  2. to invalidate (an act, measure, etc.) by a later action or a higher authority.

    Synonyms:
    veto, repeal, countermand

rescind British  
/ rɪˈsɪnd /

verb

  1. (tr) to annul or repeal

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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Etymology

Origin of rescind

First recorded in 1630–40; from Latin rescindere “to tear off again, cut away,” equivalent to re- re- + scindere “to tear, divide, destroy”


Explanation

If you get a call saying a company has decided to rescind your job offer, it's back to the classifieds for you. Rescind means "to cancel or revoke." Things that are rescinded: policies, court decisions, regulations, and official statements. What all these examples have in common is that they are on the record. Also, rescind usually refers to promises instead of tangible objects. You can't rescind a shirt a friend has borrowed from you, but you can rescind your offer to loan her your jeans.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing rescind

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.

See Examples For:

If she fails to “provide clear and unequivocal commitments” to their questions, the national committee will vote on whether to rescind DSA-LA’s endorsement, a spokesperson confirmed.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 27, 2026

She said her party's view was that the secretary of state "can and should rescind the permission" for the parade.

From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026

To believe that even good women might see their minds betray them so spectacularly would be to rescind control over an entire ideology that helps organize your world.

From Slate ● Sep. 5, 2026

The USDA, which oversees national forests, said last year that it was planning to rescind the rule.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 18, 2026

In a final indignity, Lawrence asked Edwin and Elsie McMillan to rescind a dinner invitation to Frank.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik

When you get two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties in a high school football game, you are suspended for the next game — unless the official rescinds the call.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 26, 2024

The bill also rescinds the unobligated funds made available for the agency and transfers all other assets or liabilities to the Secretary of State.

From Washington Times ● Aug. 1, 2023

The new law, passed by unanimous vote, rescinds what had been a two-year deadline to sue.

From Seattle Times ● Jun. 15, 2023

The end of the public health emergency rescinds some of the authorities for us to collect data from states and localities.

From Science Magazine ● Jun. 8, 2023

Gérard condemns Chénier to death, but is melted by Madeleine's pleading, and rescinds the order for his execution.

From The Opera A Sketch of the Development of Opera. With full Descriptions of all Works in the Modern Repertory. by J. A. Fuller-Maitland

But after a trade to Charlotte for center Mark Williams was rescinded, Knecht never settled back into the rotation.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 19, 2026

At the end of the film, a title card reveals that Evans ultimately rescinded his claim for financial compensation.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026

Ahead of the 9/11 commemorations, some Gander residents had called for Hoekstra's invite to be rescinded.

From BBC ● Sep. 11, 2026

One rescinded the longstanding definition of "harm," which had covered habitat destruction.

From Barron's ● Sep. 4, 2026

Although the order was soon rescinded, its sting lingered.

From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield

Even she probably can’t keep him from soon rescinding the ban and recovering his access to those sweet, sweet cameras.

From Salon ● Sep. 23, 2026

The agency also proposed rescinding every remaining greenhouse gas standard for the power sector, and is seeking public comment.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 15, 2026

Then, days before the committee vote, he posted two orders on X, one rescinding the fund and one “clarifying” the immunity’s scope.

From Slate ● Aug. 10, 2026

KFC in 2024 said it was rescinding its commitment to phase out buying fast-growing chicken, but the decision on Thursday withdrew from the Better Chicken Commitment entirely.

From BBC ● Feb. 20, 2026

Rescind′ment; Rescis′sion, the act of rescinding: the act of annulling or repealing.—adj.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R) by Various

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