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

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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.
Tubman’s fearless activism led to the eventual abolition of slavery and inspired later generations of civil rights leaders. — Sughnen Yongo, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025 However, the reality is that the consequences of slavery and segregation did not end with their legal abolition. — C. Anthony Muse, Baltimore Sun, 15 Mar. 2025 Two excellent new books focus on abolition’s complicated aftermath, foregrounding the experiences of the formerly enslaved. — Barbara Spindel, The Christian Science Monitor, 12 Mar. 2025 Lewis was working within the Neoclassical mode, recycling the stylings of ancient Greece for a new era concerned with enforcing the abolition of slavery. — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 1 Apr. 2025 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

abolish
abolition
abolitiondom
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Cite this Entry

“Abolition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abolition. Accessed 28 Apr. 2025.

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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

More from Merriam-Webster on abolition

Nglish: Translation of abolition for Spanish Speakers

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