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

Examples of nullify in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Those four seconds, Romania argued, put the US over the time limit and should have nullified Chiles’s new score. Alex Abad-Santos, Vox, 12 Aug. 2024 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 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.

Thesaurus Entries Near nullify

Cite this Entry

“Nullify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nullify. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on nullify

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