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 Going the other way, the Spartans reached midfield, but a first down was nullified by a holding penalty before Simley turned it over on downs. Mike Cook, Twin Cities, 6 Sep. 2025 The move nullifies an extension quietly authorized by Biden before leaving office, which had granted Harris an additional year of protection beyond the standard six-month post-tenure period. Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025 Ron comes to realize that his fulltime commitment to Jay has nullified his own needs, making his family feel like second-class citizens, especially his justifiably impatient wife Lois (Greta Gerwig). David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2025 The Supreme Court nullified capital punishment in 1972 in the District, and efforts to reinstate it in the years since have failed, but the federal government can have the authority to push for capital punishment in the District. Brett Samuels, The Hill, 27 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for nullify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nullify
Verb
  • Last week, Reform pledged to abolish indefinite leave to remain (ILR), which gives migrants settled status in Britain.
    Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Among 16 to 24-year-olds, 67 percent wanted to abolish compared to 30 percent who would keep the crown.
    Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Some of the laws lapsed and were never renewed, some were repealed, and judges struck down others as violations of the First Amendment.
    Time, Time, 29 Sep. 2025
  • The strategist noted that Youngkin’s message on parental rights and education is often the main takeaway from his campaign, but there were other important messages, including repealing the state’s grocery tax.
    Julia Manchester, The Hill, 28 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • An upcoming Chris Brown concert, scheduled to take place in Memphis, Tennessee, has been cancelled two weeks ahead of showtime.
    John Beifuss, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Future Ruins, the inaugural film-music festival run by Oscar-winning duo Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, has been canceled.
    Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 4 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In June, a three-judge panel had ruled unanimously that teaching yoga is protected speech and that city officials had failed to show how the classes threaten public safety or prevent enjoyment of the city’s shoreline parks, overturning a lower court’s ruling.
    Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Another company explored the Bend and Reef deposits in 2011 and 2012, but since then no further action was taken, partially due to a mining moratorium in Wisconsin in place until the state Legislature overturned it in 2017.
    Laura Schulte, jsonline.com, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The unions have asked the court to declare that both OMB and OPM have exceeded their statutory authority and acted in an arbitrary and capricious manner, and to invalidate any actions that may come from the memos and guidance issued.
    Franco Ordoñez, NPR, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Toxic positivity combines a belief that being optimistic will change an outcome with attempts to deny, minimize, and invalidate what teams are experiencing.
    Mita Mallick, Big Think, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Refrain from entering water that may have electricity in it and avoid walking through floodwaters.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Engelbert said Friday that the league and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association continue to meet and negotiate with the hopes of avoiding a work stoppage.
    Kevin Dotson, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Nullify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nullify. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on nullify

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