Definition of NULLIFY

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

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.

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

The administration called for the protections guaranteeing coverage to be nullified. — Jordan Rau, Washington Post, "ACA Protections For Sick Patients Still Popular Despite GOP’s Efforts To End Them," 27 June 2018 Adidas Telstar 18 - the World Cup's official ball for this summer's tournament in Russia - is believed to have been designed to nullify the use of dip and swerve techniques during the competition this year; because apparently that's a bad thing. — SI.com, "From Russia With Lough: Adidas Telstar 18 Is Specifically Designed to Stop Dip & Swerve," 12 June 2018 The San Antonio Alliance of Teachers and Support Personnel sued the district to try to nullify its deal with Democracy Prep, arguing that Stewart’s teachers weren’t consulted, as the law also requires. — Alia Malik, San Antonio Express-News, "Union loses injunction request in lawsuit against SAISD charter deal," 4 June 2018 Supreme Court justices voted 8-6 to nullify the appointment of Maria Lourdes Sereno, an outspoken critic of President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration. — Andreo Calonzo, Bloomberg.com, "Top Philippine Judge Removed After Attacks on Duterte's Drug War," 11 May 2018 And the fact that nullifying that deal would compromise diplomatic efforts with North Korea surely won’t escape those officials. — Eric Levitz, Daily Intelligencer, "Donald Trump Has Never Been More Dangerous Than He Is Now," 21 Mar. 2018 Congress could also theoretically rewrite the nation’s immigration laws to nullify the ban, but would have to overcome Trump’s veto. — Matt Ford, The New Republic, "The Supreme Court Upholds Presidential Bigotry," 26 June 2018 Residents voted Tuesday to retain the voting system, nullifying a legislative delay and allowing it to be used in November's federal elections in Maine. — Chris Stirewalt, Fox News, "Raccoon Congress," 13 June 2018 Besides the temporary injunction, the union sued to nullify the contract between SAISD and Democracy Prep. — Alia Malik, San Antonio Express-News, "Judge to rule on injunction that would halt charter takeover of Stewart Elementary," 1 June 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.