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 In that case, the justices ruled in favor of Chevron and nullified a ballot measure that Monterey County voters passed in 2016 to ban new oil and gas wells there over pollution concerns, saying that state regulations took precedent. Paul Rogers, The Mercury News, 25 Sep. 2024 But acting on an appeal from Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey's office, the state Supreme Court nullified the agreement. Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 25 Sep. 2024 But acting on an appeal from Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey’s Office, the state Supreme Court nullified the agreement. Louis Casiano, Fox News, 24 Sep. 2024 If decisions don’t need to be made on the spot, then this nullifies the need for a strategy entirely: simply evaluate every candidate and pick your favorite. Jack Murtagh, Scientific American, 19 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for nullify 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'nullify.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near nullify

Cite this Entry

“Nullify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nullify. Accessed 13 Oct. 2024.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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