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 These factors make complying with § 41 problematic, leading companies to potentially passing on this benefit, nullifying the intended purpose of the tax credit. Nathan Goldman, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025 Amorim was quick to key in on the different physical threat Lyon pose when compared to Real Sociedad in the round of 16, and United spent the game’s opening hour looking to nullify their midfield machine. Carl Anka, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025 Messi brought the stadium back to life in the 31st minute, scoring on a lightning quick free kick, but it was nullified because the head referee had not officially re-started play after the yellow card that led to the kick. Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2025 To seal the deal, Minnesota will try to get out in transition and nullify the Warriors’ zone defense. Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 14 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for nullify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nullify
Verb
  • The initiative has its critics, who fear that abolishing property taxes would leave local governments without sufficient funds to support crucial public services.
    Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 June 2025
  • The latter is known for his misogynistic statements, and has promised to follow through on Mr. Yoon’s commitment to abolish the Ministry of Gender Equality & Family.
    Yejin Gim, Christian Science Monitor, 2 June 2025
Verb
  • An effort to repeal the law completely did not advance the spring legislative session, while the vote for the delay came on the session’s last day.
    Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2025
  • The group, known as the L.A. Alliance for Tourism, Jobs and Progress, is hoping to persuade voters to repeal the ordinance.
    David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2025
Verb
  • Musk has faced fierce backlash over his drastic cuts to the government's budget, including canceling thousands of federal jobs, and the dismantling of entire agencies.
    Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 May 2025
  • The news came just days after the Trump administration canceled funding for Moderna to develop a vaccine against potential pandemic flu viruses, including the H5N1 bird flu, despite promising early study results.
    CBS News, CBS News, 31 May 2025
Verb
  • Foreign universities want to hire them May 25, 2025 The suit also seeks to overturn the Trump administration’s 15% cap on indirect costs related to research, which universities say are critical to carrying out their work.
    Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2025
  • The suit, which hopes to overturn the law, argues that the city’s ordinance violates the First Amendment and does not apply to other forms of speech, like a political candidate asking for support or a church member proselytizing.
    Vivienne Serret, Miami Herald, 28 May 2025
Verb
  • China claims virtually the entire South China Sea, a key global trade and security route despite a 2016 international arbitration ruling initiated by the Philippines that invalidated those expansive claims based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 May 2025
  • The decision would also invalidate a 10% tariff imposed on goods from nearly all countries.
    Max Zahn, ABC News, 29 May 2025
Verb
  • But Eisner speculates that this may have festered within Ela over the ensuing years, thereby sparking her desire for vengeance on Forde—who may have confessed to his affair with Ela to avoid being prosecuted for the 1321 raid.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 6 June 2025
  • The team’s careful planning and early outreach helped avoid problems in the future, like having to replace important music in post-production – something that simply wasn’t an option here.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Nullify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nullify. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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