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Synonyms

revocation

American  
[rev-uh-key-shuhn] / ˌrɛv əˈkeɪ ʃən /

noun

  1. the act of revoking; annulment.

  2. Law. nullification or withdrawal, especially of an offer to contract.


revocation British  
/ ˌrɛvəˈkeɪʃən, ˈrɛvəkətərɪ, -trɪ /

noun

  1. the act of revoking or state of being revoked; cancellation

    1. the cancellation or annulment of a legal instrument, esp a will

    2. the withdrawal of an offer, power of attorney, etc

"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

Usage

What does revocation mean? Revocation is the withdrawal or cancellation of something. Revocation is a noun form of the verb revoke, which means to take back, withdraw, or cancel. Revoke and revocation are typically used in the context of officially taking back or cancelling some kind of right, status, or privilege that has already been given or approved. Passports and laws are subject to revocation, for example. In the context of law, revocation typically refers to the withdrawal of an offer or the nullification of a legal contract like a will. Example: The revocation of your privileges was a consequence of your repeated rule violations.

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of revocation

1375–1425; late Middle English revocacion < Latin revocātiōn- (stem of revocātiō ) a calling back, equivalent to revocāt ( us ) (past participle of revocāre to revoke ) + -iōn- -ion

Explanation

After revocation, something has been officially taken away. You might protest the revocation of your car privilege if your parents take it away because you hit the mailbox again. Revocation refers to the cancelling or annulment of something by some authority. When revocation happens, a privilege, title, or status is removed from someone. If the library revokes your library card, you can no longer take out library books — that's a type of revocation. If a restaurant is dirty, that could result in the revocation of its health license. If a lawyer breaks the law, it could lead to the revocation of his license to practice law.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing revocation

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:

Recall that the Haitian plaintiffs successfully convinced the lower court that the TPS revocation was based on unconstitutional racial bias.

From Slate Jun. 25, 2026

However, the allegation resulted in the immediate removal of Mickelson from the golf grounds and revocation of his longtime membership at the club.

From Los Angeles Times Jun. 12, 2026

The FCC could attempt to fine the stations or launch a license revocation process.

From The Wall Street Journal May 28, 2026

The reviews could lead to the revocation of the stations' licences to broadcast, an action the commission has not taken in more than 40 years, Reuters reported.

From BBC Apr. 28, 2026

There were problems with the revocation of the passport, however.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady

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