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 The decision to annul November’s election had little precedent and handed a propaganda victory to Moscow, which has long dismissed Western democracy as a sham in which elites fix the results to suppress unorthodox views and guarantee an outcome favorable to the liberal establishment. Christian Edwards, CNN, 10 Mar. 2025 If Americans enshrined the act in the Constitution, only a repeal could annul their production. Literary Hub, 5 June 2025 My Father’s Shadow includes frenzied scenes of the unrest that broke out after the results of that election were annulled by the incumbent, squashing the hope of millions and ushering in another chapter of military rule. Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 20 May 2025 Georgescu was considered a pro-Russian candidate, but last year's vote was annulled over allegations of campaign fraud and interference from Moscow. Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for annul
Recent Examples of Synonyms for annul
Verb
  • The changes to the federal health care programs, particularly Medicaid, were always expected to become a centerpiece of the GOP package, a way to offset the costs of providing tax breaks for millions of Americans.
    Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 26 June 2025
  • This can then be offset against matching or contrasting clothes.
    Laia Farran Graves, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
Verb
  • Lethal injection is the only method of execution after firing squads were abolished in 2011.
    Reuters, NBC news, 26 June 2025
  • Beginning in the 1950s, between 20 million and 25 million households gained ownership of plots of land through the government’s scheme to abolish the colonial-era zamindari system of tax-collecting landlords.
    Michael Albertus, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
Verb
  • Rework alone—correcting things that have simply been done wrong—accounts for 12% of the cost of projects, on average.
    Kathleen Kewley, Forbes.com, 4 July 2025
  • This story was updated to correct information about who would manage the Findlay Community Center's childcare center.
    Sydney Franklin, The Enquirer, 3 July 2025
Verb
  • Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill on Tuesday that promises to reopen Panhandle beaches to the public, repealing a 2018 state law that allowed beachfront property owners to close off miles of local shoreline to residents.
    Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025
  • The Legislature previously swatted two attempts earlier this year to repeal that law and ban trans girls from sports.
    Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • The military said the battalion uses real-time detection and jamming tools to neutralize aerial threats, adding a critical layer to Israel's multi-tiered air defense network.
    Amanda Castro Hannah Parry Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025
  • Take steps to prevent dry mouth Saliva plays an essential role in neutralizing acids and protecting tooth enamel, but dry mouth affects nearly six in 10 older adults, according to AARP.
    Reem Amro, FOXNews.com, 22 June 2025
Verb
  • Senate lawmakers from both parties clashed with Russell Vought, director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, on Wednesday over the Trump administration's proposal to cancel billions in federal spending on foreign aid, public broadcasting and global health programs.
    Sonam Sheth Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025
  • After four seasons, HGTV has cancelled Married to Real Estate, the home renovation series hosted by Egypt Sherrod and her husband Mike Jackson.
    Nick Caruso, TVLine, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • The bill, which Gov. Mike Kehoe is expected to sign and would begin Aug. 28, would overturn sick leave provisions included in a ballot measure that Missouri voters approved last year.
    Jim Edwards, Fortune, 1 July 2025
  • But the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals overturned that decision last year.
    Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 1 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Annul.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/annul. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.

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