Meaning & use

veto

noun·Academic

The official power to reject or block a proposed law, decision, or action.

See it in a sentence

The president used his veto to stop the controversial bill from becoming law.

Any permanent member of the council can cast a veto against the resolution.

A note on using this word

Veto is Latin for 'I forbid'; it can also be used as a verb, as in 'to veto a bill.'

Words with a similar meaning

rejectionrefusal

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

Another way to use it

2. verb

To use official power to reject or refuse to approve a proposal.

The governor vetoed the budget because it lacked school funding.

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