revoke

1 of 2

verb

re·voke ri-ˈvōk

revoked; revoking

Synonyms of revoke next

transitive verb

: to annul by recalling or taking back : rescind

revoke a will

: to bring or call back

intransitive verb

: to fail to follow suit when able in a card game in violation of the rules

revoker noun

revoke

2 of 2

noun

: an act or instance of revoking in a card game

Did you know?

Since vocare means "to call" in Latin, to revoke is to "call back". Your driver's license could be revoked after about three convictions for driving under the influence of alcohol; some people's licenses are even revoked for life. You could get your passport revoked if a judge thought you had violated the terms of your bail and suspected you might skip the country. And if you're out of prison on probation and violate the terms of probation, it will probably be revoked and you'll end up back in the slammer.

Examples of revoke in a Sentence

Verb The judge revoked her driver's license. Their work permits were revoked. Their privileges were revoked after they misbehaved.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

That includes reinstating the student group Penn Students Against the Occupation of Palestine, whose status was revoked. —

Patrick Smith, NBC News, 26 Apr. 2024 The nonprofit organization’s tax-exempt status was automatically revoked by the Internal Revenue Service in 2010 for failure to file returns over three consecutive years, online records show. —

Katie Moore, Kansas City Star, 26 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for revoke

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'revoke.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French revocer, revoquer, from Latin revocare, from re- + vocare to call, from voc-, vox voice — more at voice

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1709, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of revoke was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Revoke.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/revoke. Accessed 3 May. 2024.

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Kids Definition

revoke

verb

re·voke

ri-ˈvōk

revoked; revoking

: to put an end to (as a law, order, or privilege) by taking away or canceling

revoker noun

Etymology

Verb

Middle English revoken "to take back, withdraw," from early French revoquer (same meaning), from Latin revocare "to call back," from re- "back, again" and vocare "to call" — related to advocate, provoke, vocation

Legal Definition

revoke

transitive verb

re·voke ri-ˈvōk

revoked; revoking

: to annul by recalling or taking back: as

: to destroy the effectiveness of (one's will) by executing another or by an act of destruction (as tearing in half)

: to put an end to (a trust)

: to withdraw (an offer) especially before acceptance

: to withdraw (acceptance of goods) by refusing to keep goods because of nonconformity see also rejection

: to take back (as a license or a grant of parole or probation) especially because of misconduct

revoker noun

Last Updated: 1 May 2024 - Updated example sentences

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revoke

verb

noun

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Synonyms

Examples of revoke in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near revoke

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Legal Definition