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
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.
In the third quarter, Masses had a 100-yard pick-6 nullified by a pass interference penalty. Jeff Faraudo, Mercury News, 31 Aug. 2025 The move nullifies an extension quietly authorized by Biden before leaving office, which had granted Harris an additional year of protection beyond the standard six-month post-tenure period. Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025 Ron comes to realize that his fulltime commitment to Jay has nullified his own needs, making his family feel like second-class citizens, especially his justifiably impatient wife Lois (Greta Gerwig). David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2025 Economic Risks Perceived political meddling could steepen the yield curve, pushing long-term rates higher and nullifying any short-term rate cuts the Fed might enact—whether voluntarily or under duress. Dan Irvine, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for nullify

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Nullify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nullify. Accessed 5 Sep. 2025.

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

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