The word 撤销 is formed by combining two characters, each contributing a key aspect to the overall meaning. The first character, 撤 (chè), carries the core idea of removal, retraction, or taking something away, such as withdrawing troops or clearing a table. The second character, 销 (xiāo), adds the specific sense of canceling, annulling, or melting something away, like canceling an account or destroying records. When paired, 撤 provides the action of pulling back, and 销 defines the nature of that action as a formal cancellation, together creating the complete concept of "to revoke", "to repeal", or "to rescind" an official order, decision, or status.