Cancel: meaning, definitions and examples

Use 'cancel' when you want to completely stop a planned event or action.

• The meeting was cancelled due to bad weather.
• They decided to cancel their subscription.

Use 'call off' as a more informal way to say you are cancelling an event or action that was planned.

• The match was called off because of rain.
• They called off the search for the missing dog.

Use 'abandon' when you are leaving an effort, activity, or place permanently, often without intending to return, and it may have a negative connotation.

• The project was abandoned after funding ran out.
• She abandoned her car in the middle of the road.

Use 'scrub' in more technical or informal settings, often referring to canceling something due to operational or logistical issues.

• The launch was scrubbed due to technical difficulties.
• They had to scrub the mission at the last minute.

Use 'postpone' when you decide to delay an event or action to a later time.

• The meeting was postponed until next week.
• They postponed their trip due to the pandemic.

General use for stopping something that was planned, such as meetings, appointments, or subscriptions.

• We had to cancel our dinner plans because of the rain.
• I decided to cancel my gym membership.

Formal or legal term for taking back or cancelling privileges, rights, or licenses.

• His driver's license faced revocation after multiple infractions.
• The government announced the revocation of the suspect's visa.

Legal context, especially referring to the invalidation of a marriage or contract.

• The couple sought an annulment after six months of marriage.
• The contract was found to be invalid, leading to its annulment.

Legal or formal use, often implying that something is made legally null and without effect.

• The court ruled in favor of voiding the previous agreement.
• The software company voided all fraudulent licenses.