Rescind
/rɪˈsɪnd/
verbC1
Definition
Rescind means to officially say that something, like a rule, contract, or order, is no longer valid or will not happen. It is often used in formal or legal situations when a previous decision or agreement is canceled or removed.
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See It in Action
To cancel or take back an official decision or order
- •The company decided to rescind the job offer after finding errors in the application.
- •The government rescinded the old law because it was unfair.
- •The school rescinded the student's suspension after reviewing new evidence.
To withdraw an agreement or contract
- •They rescinded the contract because the terms were not met.
- •The airline rescinded its policy on free baggage after complaints.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "rescind" like "cancel" (A2 word), but more formal and official, often used by authorities or organizations.
- ✓Picture a judge or boss crossing out a rule or contract with a big red line, showing it is no longer in effect.
- ✓It's the feeling when you hear that a plan or promise you expected is suddenly taken back or stopped.
- ✓Sounds like "re-SEND" → imagine sending back a letter to take it away, just like taking back a decision.
- ✓Think of a story where a king changes his mind and removes a law he made before.
- ✓NOT like "ignore" (pretend it doesn't exist), rescind means actively removing or canceling something official.
- ✓NOT like "postpone" (delay until later), rescind means stopping it completely, not just waiting.
- ✓NOT like "reject" (say no to an offer), rescind means to take back something already agreed or decided.
Try Other Words
- •Cancel: to stop or end something (Use when the situation is informal or everyday)
- •Revoke: to officially take back a right or permission (Use when talking about licenses or permissions)
- •Withdraw: to take back an offer or statement (Use when something is taken back before it is finalized)
- •Annul: to declare something invalid, like a marriage or contract (Use in legal or formal contexts)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "re-" (back, again) + "scind" (from Latin "scindere" meaning to cut or split)
- •Etymology: From Latin "rescindere," meaning to cut off or tear away, used in legal language to mean canceling or repealing
- •Historical development: Used in English since the 1600s in formal or legal contexts to mean cancel or repeal
- •Modern usage: Commonly used in law, government, business, and formal announcements to describe canceling official decisions or agreements
Reflect & Connect
•Can you think of a time when a rule or promise was rescinded in your life or community? How did it affect people?
•Why do you think it is important for authorities to have the power to rescind decisions or agreements?
Fill in the blanks
1.The company decided to rescind the job offer ___ they found mistakes in the applicant’s background.
2.When a law is rescinded, it means it is no longer ___ or followed.
3.Rescind is different from postpone because it means to stop something ___, not just delay it.
4.The school rescinded the suspension after new evidence was ___.
5.People often feel surprised or disappointed when a promise or offer is ___.
6.The government has the power to rescind rules that are ___ or unfair.
7.You can rescind a contract if the other person has not ___ their part of the agreement.