abolition

noun

ab·​o·​li·​tion ˌa-bə-ˈli-shᵊn How to pronounce abolition (audio)
Synonyms of abolitionnext
1
: the act of officially ending or stopping something : the act of abolishing something
abolition of the death penalty
2
: the act of officially ending slavery
a proponent of abolition
abolitionary
ˌa-bə-ˈli-shə-ˌner-ē How to pronounce abolition (audio)
-ˌne-rē
adjective

Synonyms of abolition

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Examples of abolition in a Sentence

the abolition of a law calls for the abolition of the death penalty
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In 2007, the country marked the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the slave trade by celebrating the work of William Wilberforce and his allies, who spent 20 years convincing Parliament to outlaw the trade in human beings. — ABC News, 28 Oct. 2026 Other measures include the extension of a cut in the sales tax on electricity bills and the abolition of a charge paid on gas bills. — Frank Andrews, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026 Advertisement The revolution still to come At the heart of the French Revolution of 1789 was the abolition of the privileges of the aristocracy and clergy. — Nicholas Bequelin, Time, 16 Oct. 2026 This monumental study continues Venice’s story from the abolition of the Republic to the end of the twentieth century. — Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for abolition

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French abolition, borrowed from Latin abolitiōn-, abolitiō, from aboli-, variant stem of abolēre "to abolish" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns

First Known Use

1529, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of abolition was in 1529

Rhymes for abolition

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Browse Nearby Words

abolishment
abolition
abolitionary
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Cite this Entry

“Abolition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abolition. Accessed 2 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

abolition

noun
ab·​o·​li·​tion ˌab-ə-ˈlish-ən How to pronounce abolition (audio)
1
: the act of officially ending or stopping something : the act of abolishing
2
: the abolishing of slavery
abolitionary
-ˈlish-ə-ˌner-ē How to pronounce abolition (audio)
adjective
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