Veto

noun; verb (transitive)

/ˈviː.təʊ/

A constitutional right held by an authority to unilaterally reject or block a decision, law, or resolution, thereby preventing its enactment.

✍️ Usage in a UPSC answer

The absolute veto wielded by the five permanent members of the UN Security Council frequently paralyses collective action against humanitarian crises, fuelling demands from the Global South for a more representative and accountable architecture of multilateral governance.

Synonyms

prohibitionbanembargointerdictionrejectionblackball

Antonyms

approvalsanctionassentratification

🌱 Word Family

veto (n/v), vetoes (n pl/v), vetoed (v past), vetoing (v pres.p), vetoer (n)

🔡 Root

Latin vetō = I forbid; 1st person singular of vetāre = to forbid; used by Roman tribunes; in English from 1629

📜 Etymology

From Latin vetō ("I forbid"), the first person singular present indicative of vetāre ("to forbid"); originally used by Roman tribunes of the people to oppose measures of the Senate; entered English in the early 17th century (earliest evidence from 1629).

🧠 Memory Hook

Latin veto = "I forbid" — picture a Roman tribune standing up and declaring "VE-TO!" to halt a Senate bill dead in its tracks; the power that says a firm "no".

🤝 International Relations 📖 Seen in: International Organisations — UN Syste...

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