nullify

verb nul·li·fy \ ˈnə-lə-ˌfī \

Updated on: 15 Apr 2018

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

See nullify defined for English-language learners

See nullify defined for kids

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

The order nullifies an ordinance the commissioners first passed Feb. 12 and then updated and replaced April 3.

— chris sikich, Indianapolis Star, "Judge strikes down Hamilton County's ban on signs, saying it had a chilling effect on free speech," 12 Apr. 2018
Now, without waiting to outline, let alone complete, his legal rewrite, this new move will unilaterally nullify current standards, Bennett said.

— rene marsh, CNN, "Leaked memo: Pruitt taking control of Clean Water Act determinations," 4 Apr. 2018
But a judge nullified the sale earlier this year and ruled that the archdiocese had the right to sell the property, not the nuns, Variety reported.

— Fox News, "Katy Perry shows off her Jesus tattoo on Easter as battle with nun rages on," 2 Apr. 2018
Rather, Shea said the combined effect of the indemnification of Marinelli and the claw back of the judgment had the effect of nullifying civil rights law.

— edmund h. mahony, courant.com, "Court Rules State Erred In Seizing Inmate's Civil Rights Judgment," 29 Mar. 2018
According to the result published by a MIT team in the journal Science, bots routinely spread as many true as false pieces of news, nullifying their net effect.

— antonio garcía martínez, WIRED, "The Blockchain Solution to Our Deepfake Problems," 26 Mar. 2018
The solicitor-general has filed a petition at the Supreme Court in recent weeks to nullify her original appointment as the country’s top judge.

— The Economist, "The chief justice of the Philippines is under attack," 22 Mar. 2018
Flake is also planning to introduce legislation to nullify Trump’s tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, set to take effect later this month.

— washington post, BostonGlobe.com, "Jeff Flake wants Trump to face 2020 primary challenge," 11 Mar. 2018
That double taxation more than nullifies the advantage of the lower income tax rate.

— conrad de aenlle, New York Times, "Can You Get Rich From the New Tax Law by Becoming a Company?," 23 Feb. 2018

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1607

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

nullify Synonyms

Synonyms

abate, abolish, abrogate, annul, avoid, cancel, dissolve, invalidate, negate, null, quash, repeal, rescind, roll back, strike down, vacate, void;

Near Antonyms

enact, lay down, legislate;

establish, found, institute;

formalize, legalize, legitimate, legitimize, validate;

pass, ratify;

allow, approve, authorize, clear, endorse (also indorse), permit, sanction, warrant;

command, decree, mandate, order, prescribe;

abort, call, call off, drop, recall, retract, reverse, revoke, suspend, withdraw;

ban, enjoin, forbid, outlaw, prohibit;

disallow, dismiss, reject;

annihilate, break down, eliminate, eradicate, erase, liquidate, remove, throw out, write off;

Phrases

do away with, set aside;

Synonym Discussion of 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.