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 its offer of employment. [rescind: verb]
Example
The government announced that it would rescind the new tax law. [rescinding: present participle]
revoke
Example
The judge decided to revoke the defendant's bail. [revoke: verb]
Example
The board of directors voted to revoke the CEO's authority. [revoking: present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Revoke is more commonly used than rescind in everyday language. Revoke is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while rescind is less common and typically used in legal or formal settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between rescind and revoke?
Rescind is more formal than revoke and is often used in legal or official documents. Revoke can be used in both formal and informal contexts.