Synonym Chooser

How does the verb annul differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of annul are abrogate, invalidate, negate, and nullify. While all these words mean "to deprive of effective or continued existence," annul suggests making ineffective or nonexistent often by legal or official action.

the treaty annuls all previous agreements

How do abrogate and annul relate to one another?

Abrogate is like annul but more definitely implies a legal or official act.

a law to abrogate trading privileges

Where would invalidate be a reasonable alternative to annul?

While in some cases nearly identical to annul, 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 annul?

The words negate and annul can be used in similar contexts, but negate implies the destruction or canceling out of each of two things by the other.

the arguments negate each other

When might nullify be a better fit than annul?

While the synonyms nullify and annul are close in meaning, nullify implies counteracting completely the force, effectiveness, or value of something.

a penalty nullified the touchdown

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of annul Kirchner had, a year earlier, backed sanctions for clergymen who publicly opposed the government’s human rights policies, including his decision to annul laws pardoning dictatorship-era atrocities. Federico Perelmuter, The Dial, 13 Mar. 2025 Romania's decision to annul the election, and this week's ban on Georgescu's candidacy in the redo, has been strongly criticized by U.S. Vice President JD Vance, Elon Musk and Moscow. arkansasonline.com, 12 Mar. 2025 Bucharest annulled the results of the first round of the election, opted for a rerun, and ordered a recount. Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 10 Mar. 2025 Last November, Romania’s constitutional court made the unprecedented decision to annul the first round of elections, which were led by Călin Georgescu. The Editors, National Review, 4 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for annul
Recent Examples of Synonyms for annul
Verb
  • The card also comes with several statement credits, including a $200 hotel credit* and a $200 airline fee credit (enrollment required), both of which help offset the travel costs for your next entertainment getaway.
    Ryley Amond, CNBC, 21 May 2025
  • Tariffs, to slow growth Deregulation, to lower costs and offset some of the tariff drag, and … More oil production, to cut energy prices.
    Brett Owens, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
Verb
  • Currently 20 states have passed laws that would abolish clock changes if they are given permission to do so by the federal government.
    James Bickerton, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 May 2025
  • Athletic Bilbao’s Estadio de San Mamés was full of tears of joy from Tottenham fans clad in white and players alike at the full-time whistle as the team abolished the reputation for not finishing big matches.
    David Close, CNN Money, 22 May 2025
Verb
  • But given that Brendan was just carved up, Kev quickly corrects his mum.
    Matt Cabral, EW.com, 18 May 2025
  • This story has been corrected to show that Boston and Reese got double technical fouls, not Clark and Reese.
    Michael Marot, Baltimore Sun, 17 May 2025
Verb
  • The conservative view Many conservatives are determined to repeal or at least delay and dilute most of the clean energy breaks.
    David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 20 May 2025
  • The judges rationalized that any special consideration for minors ended when the U.S. Supreme Court repealed Roe v. Wade and the Florida Supreme Court followed suit.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 19 May 2025
Verb
  • Odor-fighting insoles, sprays, and laces can also help absorb moisture and neutralize odors.
    Katelyn Squiers, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 May 2025
  • The slower surface neutralizes players who rely on power serves.
    Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 15 May 2025
Verb
  • But this sort of work would require close collaboration with Chinese researchers, at just the time when those collaborations are being scrutinized or canceled.
    Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 20 May 2025
  • The federal government is legally required to provide Title I and IDEA funding, and, unless Congress steps in, any effort to cancel that money would lead to a lengthy judicial process, Sibilia says.
    Jonaki Mehta, NPR, 19 May 2025
Verb
  • But in April, the state’s Court of Appeals, which has a Republican majority, issued a three-sentence decision overturning the lower court’s ruling without hearing oral arguments.
    Doug Bock Clark, ProPublica, 16 May 2025
  • Those fighting Trump's order say 150 years of judicial precedent will be overturned should the birthright order be allowed to go into effect.
    Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Annul.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/annul. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

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