1
as in cipher
a person of no importance or influence
that tiny country's ambassador from the U.S. is usually some nullity who happens to be a friend or supporter of the current president
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in negligibility
the quality or state of being unimportant
one of the basic themes of the theater of the absurd is the essential nullity of human existence
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 nullity
The Swiss architectural firm Herzog & de Meuron won a design competition to transform the Bankside Power Station, a gargantuan nullity on the south (read: wrong) side of the Thames.
—
Jason Farago, New York Times, 8 May 2025
If death metal is more fatalistic, more depressive — though not necessarily nihilistic — black metal, at least early on, was more interested in examining evil and proclaiming the nullity of certain values, including musical values.
—Mikal Gilmore, Rolling Stone, 30 Mar. 2025
Conversely, if the TCJA overrides the analysis set forth in the revenue procedure, the TCJA would govern, rendering Rev. Proc. 2009-20 a nullity.
—Matthew Roberts, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
Journal Editorial Report: How to make Congress a nullity.
—Giovanni Caforio, WSJ, 29 Aug. 2023
The thousands of votes already cast and those to be cast on Aug. 8, 2023, for mayoral candidates would be a nullity.
—Christina Hall, Detroit Free Press, 7 Aug. 2023
Jason Farago, New York Times, 8 May 2025
If death metal is more fatalistic, more depressive — though not necessarily nihilistic — black metal, at least early on, was more interested in examining evil and proclaiming the nullity of certain values, including musical values.
—Mikal Gilmore, Rolling Stone, 30 Mar. 2025
Conversely, if the TCJA overrides the analysis set forth in the revenue procedure, the TCJA would govern, rendering Rev. Proc. 2009-20 a nullity.
—Matthew Roberts, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
Journal Editorial Report: How to make Congress a nullity.
—Giovanni Caforio, WSJ, 29 Aug. 2023
The thousands of votes already cast and those to be cast on Aug. 8, 2023, for mayoral candidates would be a nullity.
—Christina Hall, Detroit Free Press, 7 Aug. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nullity
Noun
-
The movie, which posits an impending nuclear strike on a major American city, is a flimsy yet high-minded piece of doomsday schlock, largely populated by ciphers in suits and drained of the pulp pleasures that schlock, at its best, can afford.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Such ciphers are easy to crack using techniques such as checking letter frequency and identifying common patterns.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Professional athletes, however, aren’t nobodies.—
Joe Kozlowski,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Oct. 2025
-
More importantly, the narrative explores both sides of the conflict from the POV of grunts and 'nobodies' trying to navigate the post-Civil War state of the galaxy before the fighting stops.—
Fran Ruiz,
Space.com,
4 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
That type of breaking is undisciplined indulgence that is normally meant to terrorize and threaten people and is driven by people who operate from a place of smallness, ego fragility, and fear of their own powerlessness.—
Brené Brown,
Fortune,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Identify every instance of victim language, limitation beliefs, or smallness thinking.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The mountains on either side of the water give way to towering canyon walls, spruce and pine thin out, and only stout dwarf willow and spindly alder remain.—
Chloe Berge,
AFAR Media,
15 Oct. 2025
-
For instance, dwarf and semi-dwarf trees may live for 15 to 25 years, whereas standard apple trees can easily live for over 50 years.—
Clarence Schmidt,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Roufus coached several champion fighters, including former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis, his brother and former Bellator bantamweight champion Sergio Pettis, and former UFC welterweight world champion Tyron Woodley.—
Cleo Krejci,
jsonline.com,
18 Oct. 2025
-
The low-profile design channels that nostalgic energy while remaining lightweight and travel-friendly—perfect for dashing through airport terminals or exploring a new city on foot.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The department said in a social media post that assistant natural history biologist Amanda Gehin found a white monarch butterfly, a variation of the famous insect that is most often seen in Hawaii.—
Joseph Hernandez,
Kansas City Star,
18 Oct. 2025
-
Leaf litter and hollow stems provide critical shelter and insulation for many insects and small animals during the winter.—
Chris McKeown,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
18 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Judy was sort of a nonentity in these films until Annabelle Comes Home, where she was played by Mckenna Grace and given the character development of being ostracized by her classmates over her possible-grifter parents.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Shawn is played by out actor Rafael L. Silva, but the character’s sexuality is only noted in passing, and his relationship with his boyfriend is a nonentity.—
Ashley Spencer,
Los Angeles Times,
17 June 2025
Noun
-
My memoir was built of gaps, juxtaposition, weird little nothings.—
Cheri Lucas Rowlands,
Longreads,
16 Dec. 2024
-
But nothings more peaceful than tomorrow to a man going through pain today.—
Becca Longmire,
Peoplemag,
22 Feb. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Nullity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nullity. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share