NULLIFY Synonyms: 79 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'nullify' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of nullify are abrogate , annul , invalidate , and negate . While all these words mean "to deprive of effective or continued existence," nullify implies counteracting completely the force, effectiveness, or value of something. // a penalty nullified the touchdown

Q: How are the words 'abrogate' and 'annul' related as synonyms of 'nullify'?

Abrogate is like annul but more definitely implies a legal or official act. // a law to abrogate trading privileges

Q: When could 'annul' be used to replace 'nullify'?

The words annul and nullify are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, annul suggests making ineffective or nonexistent often by legal or official action. // the treaty annuls all previous agreements

Q: Where would 'invalidate' be a reasonable alternative to 'nullify'?

While in some cases nearly identical to nullify , invalidate implies making something powerless or unacceptable by declaration of its logical or moral or legal unsoundness. // the court invalidated the statute

Q: When is it sensible to use 'negate' instead of 'nullify'?

The synonyms negate and nullify are sometimes interchangeable, but negate implies the destruction or canceling out of each of two things by the other. // the arguments negate each other

nullify

verb

ˈnə-lə-ˌfī

Definition of nullify next

as in to abolish

to put an end to by formal action the constitutional amendment that nullified Prohibition

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb nullify differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of nullify are abrogate, annul, invalidate, and negate. While all these words mean "to deprive of effective or continued existence," nullify implies counteracting completely the force, effectiveness, or value of something.

a penalty nullified the touchdown

How are the words abrogate and annul related as synonyms of nullify?

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

a law to abrogate trading privileges

When could annul be used to replace nullify?

The words annul and nullify are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, annul suggests making ineffective or nonexistent often by legal or official action.

the treaty annuls all previous agreements

Where would invalidate be a reasonable alternative to nullify?

While in some cases nearly identical to nullify, invalidate implies making something powerless or unacceptable by declaration of its logical or moral or legal unsoundness.

the court invalidated the statute

When is it sensible to use negate instead of nullify?

The synonyms negate and nullify are sometimes interchangeable, but negate implies the destruction or canceling out of each of two things by the other.

the arguments negate each other

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of nullify Santander’s contract contains an opt-out after the third year, though the team can nullify it by exercising a club option for the 2030 campaign. —

Dan Schlossberg, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025 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 See all Example Sentences for nullify

Recent Examples of Synonyms for nullify

Verb

But Reagan faced a Democratic House of Representatives that objected, and by 1984, the GOP had abandoned its call for abolishing the department.

— Richard Stengel, TIME, 15 Feb. 2025
Moreover, the president has intertwined his calls to abolish the $268 billion bureaucracy with attempts to leverage it to advance his own agenda.

— Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 13 Feb. 2025