What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
abolish
Example
The government decided to abolish the death penalty. [abolish: verb]
Example
The company decided to abolish its outdated dress code policy. [abolishing: gerund or present participle]
revoke
Example
The judge decided to revoke the defendant's bail. [revoke: verb]
Example
The company decided to revoke the employee's promotion due to poor performance. [revoking: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Revoke is more commonly used than abolish in everyday language. Revoke is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while abolish is less common and refers to more significant and drastic changes.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between abolish and revoke?
Abolish is typically associated with a more formal and serious tone, while revoke can be used in both formal and informal contexts.