Synonym Chooser

How does the verb nullify differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of nullify are abrogate, annul, invalidate, and negate. While all these words mean "to deprive of effective or continued existence," nullify implies counteracting completely the force, effectiveness, or value of something.

a penalty nullified the touchdown

How are the words abrogate and annul related as synonyms of nullify?

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

a law to abrogate trading privileges

When could annul be used to replace nullify?

The words annul and nullify are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, annul suggests making ineffective or nonexistent often by legal or official action.

the treaty annuls all previous agreements

Where would invalidate be a reasonable alternative to nullify?

While in some cases nearly identical to nullify, 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 nullify?

The synonyms negate and nullify are sometimes interchangeable, but negate implies the destruction or canceling out of each of two things by the other.

the arguments negate each other

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 nullify Mutharika stepped down in 2020 after his victory was nullified over electoral fraud concerns. Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 6 Oct. 2025 Failing to take your medication when you’re supposed to can nullify its effects and affect your health. Bestreviews, Mercury News, 16 Sep. 2025 This wouldn't surprise me all that much, especially in light of a report out of the Census Bureau yesterday showing inflation gains largely nullified wage gains last year. Jj Kinahan, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025 Even if Florida’s law prohibiting open carry were nullified, state law still bars people from carrying firearms in any capacity to certain places, including police stations, courthouses, polling places and college campuses. Romy Ellenbogen, Miami Herald, 10 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for nullify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nullify
Verb
  • However, when your organization was founded less than 45 years after slavery was abolished, when Black women were still being forced to be wet nurses to the very children of those who oppressed them and lynching was a common occurrence below the Mason-Dixon Line?
    Essence, Essence, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The European Parliament has twice called for Yahaya’s release, asking Nigeria to set an example by abolishing the blasphemy laws under which he has been detained for over five years.
    Sean Nelson, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The country went through a 16-day government shutdown during the Obama presidency when Republicans tried to repeal the Affordable Care Act 2013.
    Jason Ma, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2025
  • The businesses operated in secret during Prohibition but closed once the 18th Amendment was repealed.
    Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The brand canceled the show indefinitely in 2019 amid controversy surrounding representation and inclusivity.
    Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025
  • In recent years, some Wyandotte residents have tried to get the government to delay or cancel its tax sales, which usually happen twice a year, to prevent people who have struggled to pay sky-rocketing property tax bills from losing their family homes.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 18 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Another fumble, this one collected by the Buccaneers, was overturned on replay review.
    Matt Barrows, New York Times, 14 Oct. 2025
  • His conviction was overturned in 2024 after an appeals court determined a juror had been improperly dismissed during deliberations.
    Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Democratic voting rights group estimate that gutting the Voting Rights Act’s protections against vote dilution could help Republicans win an additional 27 House seats − including 19 that would directly result from invalidating the law’s protections.
    Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 15 Oct. 2025
  • Trump issued a version of it at the end of his first term but it was invalidated by the Biden administration almost immediately.
    Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 9 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • For those affected, avoiding even trace amounts of eggs is essential, making accurate labeling critical.
    Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025
  • For less hustle and bustle, busiest avoid traveling Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday.
    Frank Witsil, Freep.com, 17 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Nullify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nullify. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.

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