annul

[ uh-nuhl ]

verb (used with object)

, an·nulled, an·nul·ling.

1. (especially of laws or other established rules, usages, etc.) to make void or null; abolish; cancel; invalidate:

   to annul a marriage.

   Synonyms: repeal, rescind, nullify

2. to reduce to nothing; obliterate.
3. to cancel (a regularly scheduled train, plane, social event, etc.) for one day or one time only.

annul

/ əˈnʌl /

verb

1. tr to make (something, esp a law or marriage) void; cancel the validity of; abolish

Derived Forms

• anˈnullable, adjective

Other Words From

• an·nulla·ble adjective
• self-an·nulling adjective
• unan·nulla·ble adjective
• unan·nulled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of annul¹

1375–1425; late Middle English < Anglo-French annuler < Late Latin adnūllāre render null (calque of Greek exoudeneîn ), equivalent to ad- ad- + -nullāre, verbal derivative of Latin nūllus no, not any

Word History and Origins

Origin of annul¹

C14: from Old French annuller, from Late Latin annullāre to bring to nothing, from Latin nullus not any; see null

Example Sentences

For instance, in Australia, marriages have been annulled because governments have previously ruled that an intersex person – someone not seen to be “100% man” or “100% woman” – cannot be legally married.

From No Straight News

He quoted from an 1809 Supreme Court opinion that said attempts by state legislatures to annul judgments of the courts make a “mockery” of the Constitution.

From Washington Post

Confidencial, an online newspaper that is critical of the government, reported the Interior Ministry has asked the National Assembly to “annul the legal non-profit status” of Fundación Xochiquetzal and 14 other non-governmental organizations.

From Washington Blade

Her first marriage, when she was 14, was annulled within days.

From Washington Post

So reluctant was the government to relinquish its grip, that Kaftancioglu’s campaign team had to win the city twice, after Erdogan demanded the initial victory be annulled alleging campaign irregularities.

From Time

Two years later, the reprimand was overturned, but Mia was unsuccessful in her bid to annul the adoptions.

From The Daily Beast

Whatever action is taken, however, will require a new law that does more than simply annul Obamacare.

From The Daily Beast

By all accounts, Rafsanjani has been the main force behind the scenes trying to annul the elections.

From The Daily Beast

The seven godmothers could modify, but could not annul Alcuine's decree, and thus the fate of the Princess was determined.

From Project Gutenberg

You see that we may arrive at the point I spoke of, my son, and prolong life since we can annul death?

From Project Gutenberg

The application of it would at once annul the Fugitive Slave Act, and abolish slavery.

From Project Gutenberg

We must overthrow all order, suppress all laws, annul all power, and leave the people in anarchy.

From Project Gutenberg

The Austrian demand that Victor Emmanuel should annul the liberal constitution granted by his father was unconditionally refused.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• abolish
• abrogate
• cancel
• declare
• delete
• dissolve
• expunge
• invalidate
• nullify
• quash
• repeal
• rescind
• retract
• reverse
• revoke
• undo
• vacate