nullify

verb

nul·​li·​fy ˈnə-lə-ˌfī How to pronounce nullify (audio)
nullified; nullifying

transitive verb

1
: to make null (see null entry 1 sense 1)
especially : to make legally null and void
nullify a law
2
: 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

Examples of nullify in a Sentence

The law has been nullified by the U.S. Supreme Court. The penalty nullified the goal.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But the president soon changed his tune when South Carolina claimed authority to nullify federal tariffs. Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 3 Mar. 2025 In response, current and former Justice Department officials said, defense lawyers on a wide variety of cases are drafting direct appeals to Mr. Bove to try to nullify pending charges or investigations. Glenn Thrush, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2025 David Moyes’ game plan when facing the Premier League’s stronger sides has always been about attempting to nullify their strengths, rather than trying to exploit their weaknesses, and this was a good example. Michael Cox, The Athletic, 13 Feb. 2025 Gardner-Johnson, who had an interception return for a touchdown nullified late in the game, posted a message seemingly directed toward the star tight end and his romantic life. Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 11 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for nullify

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin nullificare, from Latin nullus

First Known Use

1607, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of nullify was in 1607

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Nullify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nullify. Accessed 11 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

nullify

verb
nul·​li·​fy ˈnəl-ə-ˌfī How to pronounce nullify (audio)
nullified; nullifying
: to make null or valueless
especially : annul

Legal Definition

nullify

transitive verb
nul·​li·​fy ˈnə-lə-ˌfī How to pronounce nullify (audio)
nullified; nullifying
: to make null
nullify a contract

More from Merriam-Webster on nullify

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