What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
rescind
Example
The company decided to rescind the new policy due to negative feedback. [rescind: verb]
Example
The government announced the rescinding of the controversial law. [rescinding: gerund or present participle]
cancel
Example
I had to cancel my flight due to unforeseen circumstances. [cancel: verb]
Example
The concert was canceled due to bad weather. [canceled: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Cancel is more commonly used than rescind in everyday language. Cancel is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while rescind is less common and typically used in formal or legal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between rescind and cancel?
Rescind has a more formal and serious connotation, while cancel can be used in both formal and informal contexts. Therefore, rescind is typically used in formal or legal contexts, while cancel can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
