Synonyms of cancel

cancel 1 of 2

verb (1)

ˈkan(t)-səl 

1

as in to abandon

to put an end to (something planned or previously agreed to)

please call to cancel your appointment with the dentist if you can't make it

Synonyms & Similar Words

• abandon
• revoke
• abort
• scrap
• repeal
• withdraw
• rescind
• terminate
• suspend
• recall
• halt
• reverse
• drop
• call
• interrupt
• call off
• end
• scrub
• discontinue
• retract
• annul
• nullify
• invalidate
• stop
• abrogate
• cry off
• void
• take back
• recant
• relinquish
• write off
• roll back
• countermand
• hold back
• break off
• surrender
• give up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• continue
• keep
• engage
• begin
• start
• initiate
• undertake
• pledge
• promise
• take up
• commence
• take on

2

as in to abolish

to put an end to by formal action

the agreement can be canceled by either side with a formal written notice

Synonyms & Similar Words

• abolish
• repeal
• avoid
• overturn
• vacate
• rescind
• annul
• nullify
• withdraw
• invalidate
• revoke
• void
• suspend
• abrogate
• quash
• negate
• dismiss
• dissolve
• roll back
• set aside
• null
• strike down
• reject
• retract
• reverse
• abate
• veto
• remove
• do away with
• disannul
• override
• eliminate
• overrule
• abort
• forbid
• recall
• erase
• prohibit
• ban
• countermand
• call
• disallow
• call off
• enjoin
• liquidate
• eradicate
• outlaw
• drop
• annihilate
• write off
• throw out
• break down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• enact
• establish
• found
• lay down
• legislate
• institute
• legitimate
• validate
• pass
• permit
• approve
• authorize
• allow
• ratify
• order
• endorse
• warrant
• legitimize
• prescribe
• legalize
• formalize
• clear
• command
• sanction
• indorse
• mandate
• decree

3

as in to delete

to show (something written) to be no longer valid by drawing a cross over or a line through it

canceled the check and wrote a new one

Synonyms & Similar Words

• delete
• erase
• remove
• censor
• cross (out)
• strike (out)
• kill
• stroke (out)
• scratch (out)
• blue-pencil
• elide
• edit (out)
• obliterate
• x (out)
• eradicate
• expunge
• suppress
• dele
• wipe out
• efface
• shorten
• blot out
• clip
• excise
• cut
• abbreviate
• rub out
• root (out)
• clean (up)
• redact
• silence
• repress
• launder
• crop
• bleep
• expurgate
• blip
• bowdlerize
• red-pencil
• black out

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• stet

4

as in to erase

to destroy all traces of

it seemed as though all honor and decency had been canceled by the war's new moral order

Synonyms & Similar Words

• erase
• eradicate
• abolish
• destroy
• obliterate
• liquidate
• expunge
• exterminate
• wipe out
• sweep (away)
• annihilate
• efface
• stamp (out)
• blot out
• demolish
• clean (up)
• shatter
• extirpate
• kill
• ruin
• dismantle
• root (out)
• discard
• rub out
• black out
• snuff (out)
• terminate
• consume
• flatten
• devastate
• dissolve
• decimate
• mow (down)
• ravage
• waste
• tear down
• eject
• wreck
• smash
• finish
• expel
• fragment
• total
• powder
• dash
• ditch
• raze
• kill off
• blow up
• devour
• blast
• excise
• oust
• jettison
• doom
• cut
• zap
• pulverize
• throw out
• dynamite
• atomize
• splinter

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• save
• protect
• preserve
• conserve
• create
• make
• build
• form
• construct
• shape
• manufacture
• renew
• forge
• restore
• fabricate
• frame
• repair
• fix
• rebuild
• reconstruct
• patch
• fashion
• mend
• renovate
• revamp
• recondition

cancel (out)

2 of 2

verb (2)

as in to offset

to balance with an equal force so as to make ineffective

unfortunately, this one indiscretion will cancel out a long record of accomplishment

Synonyms & Similar Words

• offset
• correct
• neutralize
• make up (for)
• compensate (for)
• outweigh
• counterbalance
• counteract
• relieve
• annul
• negative
• remedy
• atone (for)
• counterpoise
• invalidate
• nullify
• redeem
• negate
• redress
• overrule
• neuter
• override
• outbalance

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of cancel

Verb

Also canceled: one study looking at reducing maternal mortality in New York and another on treatments for long COVID, The New York Times reports. —Erica Pandey, Axios, 21 Mar. 2025

Under President Barack Obama, the department took steps to cancel accreditors for a now-defunct for-profit college chain, but the Trump administration blocked the move. —Collin Binkley, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2025

The administration canceled $400 million in federal funding to Columbia University, claiming the school failed to address antisemitism on campus. —Kaity Kline, NPR, 20 Mar. 2025

To avoid this, cancel and sign in to YouTube on your computer. —Brooke Sopelsa, NBC News, 20 Mar. 2025

Phrases Containing cancel

• cancel (out)