nullify

[ nuhl-uh-fahy ]
See synonyms for: nullifynullifiednullifyingnullifier on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),nul·li·fied, nul·li·fy·ing.
  1. to render or declare legally void or inoperative: to nullify a contract.

  2. to deprive (something) of value or effectiveness; make futile or of no consequence.

Origin of nullify

1
First recorded in 1585–95, nullify is from the Late Latin word nūllificāre to despise. See nulli-, -fy

Other words for nullify

Other words from nullify

  • nul·li·fi·er, noun
  • re·nul·li·fy, verb (used with object), re·nul·li·fied, re·nul·li·fy·ing.
  • un·nul·li·fied, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use nullify in a sentence

  • Prisoners were released from their toils, a lawless mob overran the thoroughfares, and civic government was nullified.

    The Civil War Through the Camera | Henry W. (Henry William) Elson
  • I entered atmosphere, made planetfall with nullified visibility, and took off the guardsman and a young native.

    Indirection | Everett B. Cole
  • Thus many new speculations were hazarded which nullified each other.

  • But Mr. Conne winked pleasantly at him, and it quite nullified that scornful look.

    Tom Slade with the Colors | Percy K. Fitzhugh

British Dictionary definitions for nullify

nullify

/ (ˈnʌlɪˌfaɪ) /


verb-fies, -fying or -fied (tr)
  1. to render legally void or of no effect

  2. to render ineffective or useless; cancel out

Origin of nullify

1
C16: from Late Latin nullificāre to despise, from Latin nullus of no account + facere to make

Derived forms of nullify

  • nullification, noun
  • nullifier, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012