nullify

verb

ˈnə-lə-ˌfī How to pronounce nullify (audio)
Definition of nullifynext
as in to abolish
to put an end to by formal action the constitutional amendment that nullified Prohibition

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 All the Court has done is nullify an injunction that a judge had no basis to issue. —Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 12 July 2025 Some countries have specific legislation that supersedes private contractual arrangements, effectively nullifying termination clauses regardless of the circumstances that trigger them. —Mohaimina Haque, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025 But if the Senate passes the rescission, that might nullify their legal action. —Matthew Carey, Deadline, 8 July 2025 Higher education consultant Tom O'Hare of Get College Going says that, at the very least, the practice nullifies the hard work a student and their family will spend searching for and applying for scholarships. —Robert Farrington, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for nullify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nullify
  1. abolish
  2. repeal
  3. cancel
  4. overturn
  5. invalidate
  6. avoid
Verb
  • Those who call for abolishing ICE or halting deportations rarely grapple with what that would actually mean: open borders in all but name.
    — Robert W Hood, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 July 2025
  • The poem became an anthem for abolishing convict labor in Florida.
    — Time, Time, 17 July 2025
Definition of abolish
Verb
  • But even in friendly rooms, Democrats are not promising to repeal the One Big Beautiful Bill Act in toto.
    — David Weigel, semafor.com, 18 July 2025
  • One positive step was to repeal many of the Inflation Reduction Act’s green energy subsidies.
    — Veronique De Rugy, Oc Register, 17 July 2025
Definition of repeal
Verb
  • Years later, her character was set to lead a separate reboot for Peacock, but the project was canceled in 2021.
    — Danny Horn, EW.com, 19 July 2025
  • Was the show canceled because late night TV is a relic of the past?
    — Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 19 July 2025
Definition of cancel
Verb
  • Six appealed their disqualifications but none of the disqualifications were overturned, the NYPD said in court papers.
    — Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 15 July 2025
  • The Department of Justice (DOJ) has called on the Supreme Court to reject an appeal by Ghislaine Maxwell to overturn her conviction.
    — Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025
Definition of overturn
Verb
  • Meanwhile, the Schrems II ruling invalidated the EU–U.S. Privacy Shield, creating uncertainty for companies relying on transatlantic data flows.
    — Sindhya Valloppillil, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • The state Auditor’s Office cannot pass laws, cannot invalidate laws, cannot force the Legislature to accept its recommendations for improvement.
    — Jeanne M. Kempthorne, Boston Herald, 15 July 2025
Definition of invalidate
Verb
  • Close the blinds and curtains on sun-facing windows to block the sun's rays and avoid unwanted heat.
    — Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 25 July 2025
  • After all, avoiding some topics or questions altogether could be perceived as a political response, said Mark Riedl, a professor of computing at the Georgia Institute of Technology.
    — Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 24 July 2025
Definition of avoid

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nullify
nullifying
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Cite this Entry

“Nullify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nullify. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of nullify for Spanish Speakers

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