annul

play

verb an·nul \ə-ˈnəl\

Simple Definition of annul

: to say officially that something is no longer valid : to make (something) legally void

Source: Merriam-Webster's Learner's Dictionary

Full Definition of annul

annulled

annulling

transitive verb
1 : to reduce to nothing : obliterate
2 : to make ineffective or inoperative : neutralize <annul the drug's effect>
3 : to declare or make legally invalid or void <wants the marriage annulled>

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Examples of annul in a sentence

<unfortunately, his arrogant attitude annuls the many generous favors he does for people>
<plans to annul their short-lived, ill-advised marriage>

Origin and Etymology of annul

Middle English annullen, from Anglo-French annuller, from Late Latin annullare, from Latin ad- + nullus not any — more at null

First Known Use: 15th century

Synonym Discussion of annul

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>.