annul

[uh-nuhl]

verb (used with object)

annulled, annulling 

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

Other Word Forms

• annullable adjective
• self-annulling adjective
• unannullable adjective
• unannulled 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

Opposition parties dismiss talk of Russian meddling as a "political show" claiming the government is laying the ground to annul the vote should PAS lose its majority in parliament.

From BBC

The 2019 election, also won by Mutharika, was annulled by the country's highest court, which found there had been widespread irregularities, including the use of correction fluid to alter results.

From BBC

However, the Constitutional Court later annulled the election, saying there had been widespread tampering, including the use of Tipp-Ex correction fluid on results sheets.

From BBC

It added that it was carefully checking every tally sheet, after the constitutional court annulled Mutharika's victory in 2019 because of irregularities.

From BBC

Romanian far-right former presidential candidate Calin Georgescu has been charged with attempting to stage a coup after the first round of the presidential election was annulled last December.

From BBC

Related Words

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