abolition
gb/ˌæbəlˈɪʃən/ us/ˌæbəlˈɪʃən/
B2
English
~ 7900
Senses
0 senses
Noun
formal
B2
action
1
official ending of a law or system
The act of officially ending a law, system, or practice so that it no longer exists.
Usage pattern:
the abolition of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "abolition" with "abolishment". "Abolition" is the standard and much more common form in modern English. Another common mistake is using it without "of" before the object; in most cases you should say "the abolition of [something]", not "the abolition [something]".
Synonyms
ending (A general word for something stopping; less formal and not always used in a legal or political context.)
|
elimination (Suggests completely getting rid of something; can be broader and less tied to law or policy.)
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repeal (Used mainly for laws or regulations; focuses on cancelling a law rather than ending a whole system.)
Antonyms
introduction (Refers to bringing a new law, system, or practice into use, which is the opposite of ending it.)
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establishment (Focuses on setting up or creating a system or institution, the reverse of abolishing it.)
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retention (Means keeping something in place instead of ending it, often used about the death penalty or similar policies.)
Collocations
abolition of slavery
|abolition of the death penalty
|call for abolition
|campaign for abolition
|total abolition
|gradual abolition
Themes
politics
|law
|history
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Many human rights groups are campaigning for the abolition of the death penalty worldwide.
- The abolition of slavery was a turning point in the country’s history.
- Some politicians argued that the abolition of the old tax system would harm public services.
- After years of protest, the government finally announced the abolition of compulsory military service.
- The report recommends the gradual abolition of fossil fuel subsidies.
Learner examples
- People marched in the streets to demand the abolition of slavery.
- Many countries have called for the abolition of the death penalty.
- The new law led to the abolition of the old school rules.
- The group works for the abolition of child labor.
- There is a debate about the abolition of this law.
Grammar
Dictionary form
abolition
IPA
GB/ˌæbəlˈɪʃən/
US/ˌæbəlˈɪʃən/
Syllables & stress
ab - ol - i - tion (4 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (i)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: abolition
- Plural: abolition, abolitions
Word family
Forms
abolitions
noun
Core family
abolish
verb B2
Related words
abolitionist
noun
Advanced or less common
abolitionism
noun
Expressions
abolition of slavery
1/ˌæbəlˈɪʃən əv slˈeɪvɚi/
fixed phrase
ending the system of slavery
The official act or process of ending slavery so that it is no longer legal.
Examples
- The abolition of slavery changed the social and economic structure of the country.
- Many leaders risked their lives to work for the abolition of slavery in the nineteenth century.
abolition of the death penalty
1/ˌæbəlˈɪʃən əv ðə dˈɛθ pˈɛnəlti/
fixed phrase
ending the death penalty
The official act or decision to stop using execution as a legal punishment.
Examples
- Public opinion has shifted in favor of the abolition of the death penalty.
- Several countries have recently debated the abolition of the death penalty.
campaign for abolition
1/kæmpˈeɪn fɚ ˌæbəlˈɪʃən/
fixed phrase
organized effort to end something
An organized set of actions and messages to try to make a law, system, or practice end officially.
Examples
- They joined a campaign for abolition of the outdated law.
- The campaign for abolition gained support after the report was published.