nullify

verb

nul·li·fy ˈnə-lə-ˌfī

nullified; nullifying

transitive verb

: to make null (see null entry 1 sense 1)

especially : to make legally null and void

nullify a law

: to make of no value or consequence (see consequence sense 3)

a promise later nullified

Did you know?

A legislature may nullify a ban, a law, or a tax by simply passing a new law. Election results can be nullified if a court finds the voting process was improper, and a court ruling can be nullified by a higher court. Even the Supreme Court itself may have its decisions nullified by new laws passed by the Congress—though not if a decision is based on the Constitution. In the years leading up to the American Civil War, Southern states claimed the right to nullify any federal law (such as antislavery laws) that they believed to be unconstitutional, leading to the Nullification Crisis of 1832. Annul is a close synonym of nullify (with the same root), as are abrogate and invalidate.

Choose the Right Synonym for nullify

nullify, negate, annul, abrogate, invalidate mean to deprive of effective or continued existence.

nullify implies counteracting completely the force, effectiveness, or value of something.

a penalty nullified the touchdown

negate implies the destruction or canceling out of each of two things by the other.

the arguments negate each other

annul suggests making ineffective or nonexistent often by legal or official action.

the treaty annuls all previous agreements

abrogate is like annul but more definitely implies a legal or official act.

a law to abrogate trading privileges

invalidate implies making something powerless or unacceptable by declaration of its logical or moral or legal unsoundness.

the court invalidated the statute

Example Sentences

The law has been nullified by the U.S. Supreme Court. The penalty nullified the goal.

Recent Examples on the Web The previous administration fought tooth and nail to allow automakers to pollute, seeking to nullify California's legal authority to regulate its own air quality.

Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 25 Aug. 2022 Warren contended Sunday the governor was essentially seeking to nullify the will of voters in the Tampa area who elected him in 2016 and 2020.

Curt Anderson, Orlando Sentinel, 8 Aug. 2022 Warren contended Sunday the governor was essentially seeking to nullify the will of voters in the Tampa area who elected him in 2016 and 2020.

Curt Anderson, ajc, 7 Aug. 2022 The plaintiff in the case, Richard Tornetta, a Tesla shareholder, sued current and former company board members in seeking to nullify Mr. Musk’s 2018 pay package.

Rebecca Elliott And Meghan Bobrowsky, WSJ, 19 Nov. 2022 The move comes as minor-league players and advocates hope Congress will nullify MLB’s antitrust exemption, allowing players to negotiate higher salaries.

Shakeia Taylor, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2022 Heard had asked the court to nullify the verdict and order a new trial, after discovering that one of the seven jurors did not receive a summons.

Gene Maddaus, Variety, 13 July 2022 Moreover, Republicans already had plans to challenge the vaccine mandate, with Senator Mike Braun planning to force a vote to nullify it through the Congressional Review Act.

Grace Segers, The New Republic, 3 Dec. 2021 When Southern governments moved to nullify the court’s desegregation rulings, liberals embraced the justices’ assertion of judicial supremacy.

Ian Macdougall, Harper’s Magazine , 28 Sep. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'nullify.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.