Definition of nullify
nullified
;nullifying
transitive verb
1 : to make null (see 1null 1); especially : to make legally null and void nullify a law
2 : to make of no value or consequence (see consequence 3) a promise later nullified
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Examples of nullify in a Sentence
The law has been nullified by the U.S. Supreme Court.
The penalty nullified the goal.
Recent Examples of nullify from the Web
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On July 7th the high court accepted the main opposition party’s bid to nullify the tender for printing the ballots for the presidency amid accusations that the printing contract had been improperly awarded.
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Some fans believe the mark made by the Night King could nullify these spells, causing the Wall to come crashing down after Bran has crossed to the other side.
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Such a Marshall Plan–like investment would also send a message to China that its own nuclear deterrent could be compromised and nullified by the defensive efforts of its immediate neighbors.
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After forcing a three-and-out, the White team picked up one first down but had a second nullified by another penalty.
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Despite pitching with a two-run deficit, the grand slam nullified a late Tigers’ charge.
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While there has been some confusion and controversy as calls have been overturned with goals being nullified, FIFA has made obvious efforts to support VAR.
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A new state law this year nullifies most local rules for the ride-share services, which prohibited them from picking up passengers from the airport.
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The High Court nullified the earlier contract decision because IEBC commissioners hadn’t yet been appointed, Chiloba said in the capital, Nairobi.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'nullify.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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.
Origin and Etymology of nullify
Late Latin nullificare, from Latin nullus
Synonym Discussion of nullify
NULLIFY Defined for English Language Learners
nullify
playDefinition of nullify for English Language Learners
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: to make (something) legally null
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: to cause (something) to lose its value or to have no effect
Law Dictionary
nullify
playLegal Definition of nullify
nullified
nullifying
: to make null nullify a contract
Learn More about nullify
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See words that rhyme with nullify Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for nullify Spanish Central: Translation of nullify Nglish: Translation of nullify for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of nullify for Arabic speakers
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