Rescind Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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rescind

[rษชหˆsษชnd ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

law

To revoke, cancel, or repeal a law, order, or agreement.

Synonyms

cancel, repeal, revoke.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
rescind

Appropriate in formal settings when referring to the official nullification of a decision, law, or agreement.

  • The company decided to rescind the job offer after reviewing the candidate's background
  • The president signed an order to rescind the controversial policy
revoke

Used in formal contexts to describe taking back or withdrawing a right, privilege, or official document.

  • The court decided to revoke his driver's license after the accident
  • The company has the right to revoke your access if you violate the terms of service
cancel

Commonly used in everyday situations to indicate stopping an event, subscription, appointment, or plan.

  • We had to cancel our trip due to bad weather
  • I'm going to cancel my subscription to that magazine
repeal

Used in legal or governmental contexts to indicate the act of formally withdrawing or revoking a law or regulation.

  • The legislature voted to repeal the outdated statute
  • Activists are urging the government to repeal the new tax law

Examples of usage

  • The government decided to rescind the controversial law.
  • She rescinded her decision to terminate the contract.
Context #2 | Verb

formal

To take back or withdraw something previously granted or agreed upon.

Synonyms

retract, revoke, withdraw.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
rescind

Use this word when you want to officially cancel a law, order, or agreement. It often implies a formal or legal action.

  • The government decided to rescind the controversial law.
  • They had to rescind the invitation due to unforeseen circumstances.
withdraw

Use this word when someone wants to pull out of an activity, agreement, or offer. It can be formal or informal.

  • He decided to withdraw from the competition at the last minute.
  • I had to withdraw my application due to a change in plans.
retract

This word is used when someone takes back something they said or wrote, often because it was incorrect or regrettable.

  • The politician had to retract his statement after it was proven false.
  • She retracted the article under pressure from the company.
revoke

This is often used in situations where a right, permission, or privilege is taken away by an authority. It implies a formal action.

  • His driver's license was revoked after multiple traffic violations.
  • The university decided to revoke her scholarship due to academic misconduct.

Examples of usage

  • The company rescinded their offer of employment.
  • The landlord rescinded the eviction notice.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Legal Context

  • In law, rescinding a contract means that the contract is treated as if it never existed.
  • There are specific grounds, like misrepresentation or duress, that must be proven to rescind a contract.
  • Court cases often involve parties trying to rescind agreements when they believe the terms were unfair.

Pop Culture

  • Rescinding can often be seen in movies where a character takes back a proposal or a promise.
  • Television dramas sometimes feature plot twists where characters rescind their previous decisions, leading to surprising outcomes.
  • The term is frequently discussed in social media contexts when people retract statements or opinions.

Psychology

  • Taking back a decision can be linked to cognitive dissonance, where one feels uncomfortable with a previous choice.
  • The act of rescinding can relieve stress by allowing someone to correct a mistake or change their mind.
  • Research shows that people often feel relief or regret when they rescind commitments made in haste.

Education

  • In academic settings, students might rescind applications to universities if they decide on a different path.
  • Teachers may rescind grades based on new evaluations or discoveries of errors in assessment.
  • Educational institutions sometimes rescind admissions offers if applicants no longer meet the necessary requirements.

Origin of 'rescind'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'rescindere', meaning 'to cut off or take back'.
  • It entered the English language in the 17th century, evolving from its legal use to more general contexts.
  • Many legal documents use 'rescind' to indicate canceling contracts or agreements.

The word 'rescind' originated from the Latin word 'rescindere', which means 'to cut off'. It entered the English language in the late 16th century. The term has been used primarily in legal contexts to refer to the act of revoking or canceling a law, agreement, or decision.


Word Frequency Rank

With rank #15,125, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.