revoke

1 of 2

verb

re·​voke ri-ˈvōk How to pronounce revoke (audio)
revoked; revoking

transitive verb

1
: to annul by recalling or taking back : rescind
revoke a will
2
: 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
The two micro-licenses, awarded to Seashore Rhythm, LLC in Arnold near St. Louis and Frankenstein Enemy, LLC in Columbia, are among 11 licenses that could be revoked over questions about their eligibility for a program aimed at helping small and minority-owned businesses break into the market. Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 22 Mar. 2024 The Common Council revoked Nagra’s business license for the gas station in October. Elliot Hughes, Journal Sentinel, 19 Mar. 2024 Teachers who violate the policy can be suspended or have their teaching licenses revoked. Carlos Suarez, CNN, 12 Mar. 2024 They were belatedly released after Henley abruptly revoked his attorney-client privilege before the testimony of one of his attorneys. Daniel Wu, Washington Post, 7 Mar. 2024 Current Florida law says that any person involved in street racing is subject to a first degree misdemeanor, a fine between $500 and $1,000 and can have their license revoked for one year. Alyssa Johnson, Miami Herald, 5 Mar. 2024 The state's child welfare agency recently revoked Wernle's residential licenses, raising questions about Gordon's leadership of the organization. The Indianapolis Star, 5 Mar. 2024 The President appointed a new special investigator, who quietly reinstated several of the twenty-one arrest orders that had been revoked. Alma Guillermoprieto, The New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2024 Additionally, his license will be revoked for a year, and he is required to attend a community restorative justice program on the misdemeanor charge, per the Associated Press. Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 9 Mar. 2024
Noun
The commission could deny applications, revoke certificates or issue fines in cases of companies that break laws or rules. Jeff Amy, ajc, 7 Feb. 2023 The judge on the case ruled that MSG could for the most part revoke and refuse to sell tickets to the firms, and both the plaintiffs and defendants have appealed. Ethan Millman, Rolling Stone, 21 Dec. 2022 One of his first acts as president was the revoke the NHTSA rule. Petula Dvorak, Washington Post, 24 Nov. 2022 Hulu may block, reject, revoke, or remove any Ad for any reason at any time, including if Hulu determines an Ad is inconsistent with Hulu’s business practices, strategy, standards, or brand. Ashley Belanger, Ars Technica, 26 July 2022 Georgetown's Black Law Students' Association, in a letter published on Friday, demanded that the university revoke Shapiro's employment and condemn his statements. Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 1 Feb. 2022 The Justice Department will take additional steps to crack down on gun trafficking and revoke licenses for gun dealers who willfully violate federal law. WSJ, 23 June 2021 First, revoke privileges upon user termination to make sure departing employees are no longer in the game. Expert Panel®, Forbes, 26 May 2021 The final release of Android 11 then delivered additional features related to Auto revoke permission. Chris Smith, BGR, 21 Apr. 2021

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

Dictionary Entries Near revoke

Cite this Entry

“Revoke.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/revoke. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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 How to pronounce revoke (audio)
revoked; revoking
: to annul by recalling or taking back: as
a
: to destroy the effectiveness of (one's will) by executing another or by an act of destruction (as tearing in half)
b
: to put an end to (a trust)
c
: to withdraw (an offer) especially before acceptance
d
: to withdraw (acceptance of goods) by refusing to keep goods because of nonconformity see also rejection
e
: to take back (as a license or a grant of parole or probation) especially because of misconduct
revoker noun

More from Merriam-Webster on revoke

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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