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 The panel ruled on an emergency appeal of a ruling from U.S. District Judge Jamal Whitehead who found that the president’s authority to suspend refugee admissions is not limitless and that Trump cannot nullify the law passed by Congress establishing the program. Gene Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2025 The plaintiffs want a judge to order the March 12 meeting nullified, along with any other meetings where the board allegedly broke state law. Ryan Oehrli, Charlotte Observer, 25 Apr. 2025 The California law must be nullified, the administration says. Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2025 Inter Miami, facing elimination in the quarterfinals of the Concacaf Champions Cup after an early goal by LAFC Wednesday night, is clinging to hope at halftime after Lionel Messi scored an equalizer minutes after having another goal nullified. Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for nullify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nullify
Verb
  • More news to know now The acting FEMA administrator was replaced after contradicting Trump on abolishing the agency.
    Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 10 May 2025
  • The Swiss government said Switzerland abolished all industrial tariffs on Jan. 1 last year, meaning that 99% of all goods from the United States can be imported into Switzerland duty-free.
    Paul Wiseman, Chicago Tribune, 10 May 2025
Verb
  • Sun Sentinel Bill to end limits on who can sue for medical malpractice stalls in Florida Senate The Florida Senate appeared on the verge Wednesday of passing a bill to repeal an exception in the state’s medical-malpractice laws.
    South Florida Sun Sentinel, Sun Sentinel, 1 May 2025
  • House Republicans passed a measure Thursday that would repeal the government’s decision to place California’s longfin smelt, a finger-sized fish, on the endangered species list.
    Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2025
Verb
  • Critical research trials have already been canceled midstream.
    Karen Weintraub, USA Today, 9 May 2025
  • The Trump administration is facing another legal challenge over its immigration policies, after it was reported Temporary Protected Status (TPS) would be cancelled for thousands of Afghans and Cameroonians.
    Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 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
  • Migrant rights advocates and legal practitioners have objected to this reasoning, citing serious deficiencies in the immigration ministry and the high rate of rejections overturned on appeal.
    Frey Lindsay, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
Verb
  • My own experience and reality invalidated and denied, which in her heart today would be a very painful lament.
    Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 11 May 2025
  • If the number of ballots is off, all votes are immediately invalidated and burned, followed by another vote.
    Katie Primm, NBC news, 9 May 2025
Verb
  • The key question is whether the data behind digital twins is sound enough to avoid the pitfalls that result in data decay over time (i.e., entropy).
    Mika Newton, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
  • Make sure to maintain an upright torso and avoid leaning forward or backward.
    Laura Schober, Health, 13 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Nullify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nullify. Accessed 20 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on nullify

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