Abrogate - arrogate

These two words can be confused by typing errors, which spellcheckers will not find. Writers sometimes confuse them in their heads, as neither is in common use.

To abrogate something, usually a law, treaty or some other kind of formal agreement or rule, is to repeal it or ‘annul’ it – to put it into disuse, or to stop it applying. “During the present emergency, some safeguards of individual liberty will be abrogated.”

To arrogate is to take (usually powers) to oneself; to assume. “The Dictator arrogated all legislative power into his own hands.” “The leader of the new party arrogated all police business to himself.” It is related etymologically to the adjective arrogant and the noun arrogance, although the uses and contexts of these two words have drifted slightly away from those of arrogate.

Because both these words are used in political contexts, and both have a meaning connected with changes in the application of power, they are easy to confuse. If you study Politics, don’t be confused!