革弊 (gé bì) literally means 'to革 (remove, abolish) + 弊 (evils, abuses, harmful practices)'. It is a formal, literary verb used to describe the act of eliminating long-standing problems, corrupt systems, or outdated and damaging customs—especially in institutional, administrative, or social contexts. The character 革 carries connotations of radical reform or revolution, while 弊 refers specifically to flaws, malpractices, or systemic ills (e.g., bureaucratic inefficiency, unfair policies, or unethical behavior). Together, they form a compact, weighty term emphasizing purposeful, top-down correction.

This word appears frequently in official discourse, news reports, policy documents, and academic writing—rarely in casual speech. It often co-occurs with words like '制度' (system), '作风' (work style), or '积弊' (deep-rooted evils). Though grammatically a verb, it typically functions as the core of a verbal phrase (e.g., 革弊除害, 'abolish evils and eliminate harms') and usually requires an object or context specifying what is being abolished.