noun
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a formal invalidation, as of a marriage, judicial proceeding, etc
-
the act of annulling
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of annulment
Explanation
An annulment is the cancellation of revocation of something, like a marriage. After an annulment, it's like the marriage never happened. The root nul (from Latin nullum) of this word is a good clue to its meaning: the underlying verb annul originally meant "reduce to nothing." An annulment also reduces something to nothing by canceling or terminating it, usually in a legal sense. The most common use of the term is the annulment of a marriage, which not only ends the marriage, but legally makes it as if the marriage never happened. Annulment is like a legal eraser.
Vocabulary lists containing annulment
The Renaissance and Reformation, Lessons 5–6
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Notes of a Native Son
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Cold Sassy Tree
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He does not even bother to tell her he has left, letting her find out from a letter petitioning for an annulment.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026
The annulment of the PPC contract was requested last year by the office of the comptroller -- an autonomous body that examines how government money is spent.
From Barron's • Jan. 30, 2026
In their appeal Palace have requested an annulment of the decision by Uefa's financial control body and readmission to the Europa League in place of either Forest or Lyon.
From BBC • Jul. 22, 2025
Although Henry married his cousin, their marriage was apparently never consummated and his wife later filed for annulment.
From BBC • Jul. 6, 2025
Annulment of Marriage.—While the Mexican law does not recognize absolute divorce it does provide for the annulment or setting aside absolutely of certain marriages.
From Marriage and Divorce Laws of the World by Ringrose, Hyacinthe
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
