nullify

verb

nul·​li·​fy ˈnə-lə-ˌfī 

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.

Synonyms

• abate
• abolish
• abrogate
• annul
• avoid
• cancel
• disannul
• dissolve
• invalidate
• negate
• null
• quash
• repeal
• rescind
• roll back
• strike down
• vacate
• void

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

Trump also nullified Biden’s decision to eliminate a list of sanctioned Cuban military companies and hotels. —Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 24 Jan. 2025

The score was nullified by a holding penalty on Humphrey. —Nate Taylor, The Athletic, 23 Jan. 2025

Now that the charges have been nullified, Sanan said Chwiesiuk may try to get his job back. —Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2025

The requests of two prisoners who have taken the unusual step of asking a federal judge to nullify their death row commutations granted by President Joe Biden should be denied because the act of leniency doesn't violate the Constitution, the Justice Department argued Monday in a court filing. —Erik Ortiz, NBC News, 13 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin nullificare, from Latin nullus

First Known Use

1607, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

nullify

verb

nul·​li·​fy ˈnəl-ə-ˌfī 

nullified; nullifying

: to make null or valueless

especially : annul

Legal Definition

nullify

transitive verb

nul·​li·​fy ˈnə-lə-ˌfī 

nullified; nullifying

: to make null

nullify a contract