abrogate

Definitions

ab- (away) + rog (propose) + -ate (verb) = 'to propose a law away.' In Rome you could put a bill to the people either to pass a law or to take one away; abrogate is the second — formally scrapping a law or treaty.

Why It Means This

Pair it with derogate to remember the difference: ab- means 'away' (take the whole thing away → repeal entirely), while de- means 'down/partly' (push it down → weaken or partly suspend). You abrogate a treaty when you cancel it; you derogate from a right when you only chip away at it.

Common Collocations

• 1.abrogate a treaty废除条约
• 2.abrogate a law废除法律
• 3.abrogate an agreement撤销协议
• 4.abrogate rights剥夺权利

Example Sentences

• 1.

  The new government moved to abrogate the unpopular treaty.

• 2.

  The court ruled that the state cannot abrogate these basic rights.

Easily Confused

abrogate vs abdicate — both are formal and start with ab-, but abrogate cancels a thing (a law, treaty), while abdicate gives up a role or duty (a king abdicates the throne; you abdicate responsibility).