What is it called to reverse a law?

Asked by: Zack Bruen  |  Last update: June 24, 2026
Score: 4.7/5 (70 votes)

Reversing or abolishing a law is primarily called a repeal. This is the removal or rescission of an existing law by a later legislative act, constitutional amendment, or a vote by the people.

What is it called when a law is reversed?

Overrule: when a higher court rejects or reverses a lower court ruling.

What is it called to undo a law?

repeal. Repeal is the rescission of an existing law by subsequent legislation or constitutional amendment. Also referred to as abrogation. Repeal can be explicit or implicit.

What is it called to legally overturn?

In law, to overturn means to reverse, invalidate, or set aside a previous legal decision, ruling, or precedent, typically by a higher court. It signifies that the original decision is no longer valid or binding, often occurring on appeal when a superior court finds legal errors in a lower court's judgment.

What is it called to reverse a decision?

Commonly used words to reverse a decision include overturn, rescind, revoke, repeal, and overrule. These terms imply a formal cancellation, voiding, or invalidation of a previous choice or policy, often with strong legal or official context. Other phrases include "set aside," "go back on," or "backpedal".

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23 related questions found

What is the word for cancelling a law?

To cancel a law is called a repeal. It is the formal, official process of withdrawing, annulling, or revoking a statute, regulation, or law through legislative action. When a law is repealed, it is no longer valid or in force.

What does "oye oye oye" mean in court?

"Oyez, oyez, oyez" (pronounced oh-yay) is a traditional court call meaning "Hear ye!" or "Listen!" Derived from Anglo-Norman French and used three times, it serves as a formal command to command silence and attention at the opening of a court session, particularly in the Supreme Court of the United States.

What is a synonym for revoke a law?

Definitions of repeal. verb. cancel officially. synonyms: annul, countermand, lift, overturn, rescind, reverse, revoke, vacate.

Can you overturn a law?

A bill can be reversed or changed through three main legal routes: Congress can repeal or amend it by passing a new law; the President can veto proposed repeal and Congress can attempt an override; and courts can invalidate a statute through judicial review.

What is a fancy word for eliminate?

For a more sophisticated or formal alternative to "eliminate," consider using eradicate, obviate, extirpate, or liquidate. These terms imply a more permanent, forceful, or thorough removal of something.

What is a word for pushing back against authority?

Some common synonyms of rebellion are insurrection, mutiny, revolt, revolution, and uprising. While all these words mean "an outbreak against authority," rebellion implies an open formidable resistance that is often unsuccessful.

What's another word for overturn?

Common synonyms for overturn include reverse, overrule, repeal, nullify, void, and rescind (in a legal or policy context). It also means to tip over (e.g., capsize, upend) or to depose a leader (e.g., overthrow, topple).

What is it called when one law supersedes another?

The Supremacy Clause underpins the broader doctrine of preemption, where if laws are in conflict, the law of a higher authority can preempt the law of a lower authority if the superiority of the former is stated expressly or implied.

What are the 4 types of Judgement?

The pretrial types of judgments are as follows: Confession of Judgment, Consent Judgment, Default Judgment. And Summary Judgment. A Confession of Judgment is a judgment that is filed when the debtor admits that there is a debt and agrees the judgment may be entered against the debtor.

What word means to reverse an action?

The best words for reversed an action are undo, revoke, or rescind, which mean to cancel the effects of a previous action. Other strong options include backtrack (reversing steps), countermand (reversing an order), or overturn (annulling a decision).

What's another word for reversal?

Common synonyms for reversal include turnaround, about-face, overturn, switch, and flip-flop. It signifies a change to an opposite position, opinion, or direction, or the cancellation of a previous decision.

What is the legal term for canceling an agreement?

In contract law, rescission is an equitable or legal remedy which allows a contractual party to cancel the contract. Parties may rescind if they are the victims of a vitiating factor, such as misrepresentation, mistake, duress, or undue influence.

What is a synonym for negate in law?

Some common synonyms of negate are abrogate, annul, invalidate, and nullify. While all these words mean "to deprive of effective or continued existence," negate implies the destruction or canceling out of each of two things by the other.