Finesentence mobile logo
Sign in Login / Register

Revoke Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

🔚
Add to dictionary

revoke

[rɪˈvəʊk ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

legal

To officially cancel or withdraw a law, decision, or promise.

Synonyms

annul, cancel, nullify, rescind.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
revoke

Formal use, often used in legal or official settings when an authority decides to take back a decision, permission, or right.

  • The government can revoke your passport if you violate the law.
  • His license was revoked due to repeated traffic violations.
cancel

Everyday use, often used to indicate stopping an arrangement or event that was planned.

  • We had to cancel our trip due to bad weather.
  • He cancelled his appointment with the doctor.
rescind

Formal use, similar to revoke, usually used in legal, official, or authoritative contexts to indicate taking back an offer, order, or agreement.

  • The company decided to rescind the job offer.
  • The policy was rescinded after public outcry.
annul

Commonly used in legal or religious contexts, specifically when referring to making a decision or contract as if it never existed.

  • Their marriage was annulled by the church.
  • The court decided to annul the previous contract.
nullify

Formal and usually legal use, intended to render something ineffective or invalid.

  • The judge decided to nullify the contract.
  • The new evidence might nullify the previous court ruling.

Examples of usage

  • The government decided to revoke the controversial new legislation.
  • The judge revoked his bail after he violated the terms of his release.

Translations

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

Interesting Facts

Law

  • In legal contexts, to revoke a contract means to cancel it, making it as if it never existed.
  • Government can revoke licenses or permits if they find reasons such as violations of laws or regulations.
  • Revocation can affect various rights, such as the ability to practice law or operate a vehicle.

Pop Culture

  • In movies, characters often revoke their trusts when they discover betrayal, leading to dramatic tension.
  • Many TV series showcase characters revoking friendships or alliances to show character development.
  • Online platforms often have terms of service that allow them to revoke user access if rules aren't followed.

Psychology

  • Revoking privileges can alter behavior in children, as it often serves as a form of discipline.
  • The sensation of losing a right or privilege can lead to feelings of anger or sadness, as perceived control is diminished.
  • This can trigger a 'reactance' response, where individuals try to regain what has been taken from them.

Literature

  • In classic literature, characters often face the revocation of titles or nobility to illustrate their fall from grace.
  • Many novels explore themes of having rights revoked, showcasing societal issues or injustices.
  • The concept of revocation is a common plot device in dystopian fiction, where characters fight against oppressive systems.

Origin of 'revoke'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'revocare,' meaning 'to call back' or 'to cancel.'
  • It has been used in English since the late 14th century, indicating a longstanding legal and formal use.
  • Related words like 'invoke' and 'provoke' also share the 'vocare' root, showing a connection about calling or bringing something forth.

The word 'revoke' has its origins in the Latin word 'revocare', which means 'to call back' or 'to withdraw'. The term has been used in legal contexts for centuries, referring to the act of canceling or withdrawing a law, decision, or promise. Over time, 'revoke' has become a common term in various fields, including politics, law, and everyday language.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,018, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.