abrogate

IPA/ˈæbrəɡeɪt/
KK[ˈæbrəɡˌet]IPA/ˈæbrəɡeɪt/

abrogate — verb

  • abrogatepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • abrogateshe / she / it
  • abrogatedpast simple
  • abrogating-ing form

1. to officially end the legal force or validity of a law, agreement, treaty, or cu

1.動詞及物C1
釋義

to officially end the legal force or validity of a law, agreement, treaty, or custom — typically through an authoritative or governmental act

例句

Russia abrogated the 1998 fishing agreement with Japan after trade negotiations stalled.

transitive + treaty/agreement as object

The colonial-era law was abrogated by the Supreme Court after a human rights challenge.

passive: be abrogated + by [authority]

同義詞
  • repeal

    specifically used for laws; implies revocation by the same body that enacted them

  • annul

    stronger emphasis on declaring something invalid from the start; common in judicial contexts

  • revoke

    broader application — can apply to licenses, permissions, or contracts, not just formal legal instruments

反義詞
  • enact

    to formally make a law or agreement valid

  • ratify

    to give formal approval, making a treaty or agreement legally binding

文法句型

abrogate + law/agreement/treaty

be abrogated + by [authority]

用法筆記

Restricted to legal, political, and diplomatic contexts. Do not use for everyday cancellations — use 'cancel' or 'call off' instead.

常見錯誤

❌The director abrogated the staff meeting.
✅The director canceled the staff meeting.
💡abrogate applies only to formal legal or political instruments like laws, treaties, and agreements, not ordinary events.

2. to deliberately avoid or neglect a duty, responsibility, or obligation that you

2.動詞及物C1
釋義

to deliberately avoid or neglect a duty, responsibility, or obligation that you are expected to carry out — implying a failure that deserves criticism

例句

Ana abrogated her responsibility as team leader when she stopped replying to urgent client emails.

transitive + responsibility as object

The housing agency abrogated its duty to inspect the building before tenants moved in.

common collocation: abrogate one's duty

同義詞
  • shirk

    more informal and common; focuses on avoiding work or effort

  • abdicate

    also formal; suggests giving up a position of authority or the duties that come with it

  • neglect

    less formal; does not necessarily imply deliberate avoidance — can be due to carelessness

反義詞
  • fulfill

    to carry out a duty or responsibility as expected

  • uphold

    to maintain and act in accordance with a duty or obligation

文法句型

abrogate + [duty/responsibility/obligation]

用法筆記

The object is always an abstract duty or obligation (never a person or concrete thing). Carries a strong negative judgment about the subject's failure — it is not a neutral word for simply forgetting or being unable to act.

常見錯誤

❌He abrogated from his responsibilities.
✅He abrogated his responsibilities.
💡abrogate is transitive and does not take a preposition; the duty itself is the direct object.
❌The company abrogated the faulty machine.
✅The company abrogated its responsibility to maintain the machine.
💡abrogate cannot take a concrete object; it must take a duty, obligation, or responsibility.