Synonyms

rescind

American

[ri-sind] / rɪˈsɪnd /

verb (used with object)

to abrogate; annul; revoke; repeal.

Synonyms:

withdraw, retract, nullify
to invalidate (an act, measure, etc.) by a later action or a higher authority.

Synonyms:

veto, repeal, countermand

rescind British

/ rɪˈsɪnd /

verb

(tr) to annul or repeal

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Conjugated Forms

Present

Past

Future

Etymology

Origin of rescind

First recorded in 1630–40; from Latin rescindere “to tear off again, cut away,” equivalent to re- re- + scindere “to tear, divide, destroy”

Explanation

If you get a call saying a company has decided to rescind your job offer, it's back to the classifieds for you. Rescind means "to cancel or revoke." Things that are rescinded: policies, court decisions, regulations, and official statements. What all these examples have in common is that they are on the record. Also, rescind usually refers to promises instead of tangible objects. You can't rescind a shirt a friend has borrowed from you, but you can rescind your offer to loan her your jeans.

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Vocabulary lists containing rescind

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The agency's director-general Gilbert Houngbo "has decided to rescind the appointment of the deputy director-general, considering continued delays in the payment of arrears", the ILO said in a statement.

From Barron's • Jun. 1, 2026

"I would quite like the British Government to rescind it. I don't think he should have it".

From BBC • May 22, 2026

“They’re not going to rescind their admissions offer.”

From MarketWatch • Apr. 28, 2026

Sable had requested that Geck rescind the state court injunction following the executive order to restart the pipelines.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 20, 2026

“No thank you,” Rahel said, hoping that if she could somehow effect her own punishment, Ammu would rescind hers.

From "The God of Small Things" by Arundhati Roy

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023