annul

American  

[uh-nuhl] / əˈnʌl /

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 British  

/ 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

Etymology

Origin of annul

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

Explanation

When a celebrity wakes up in Las Vegas with a mysterious wedding ring on her finger, the first thing she’ll probably want to do is annul the marriage. That will declare it invalid and officially cancel the whole deal. Annul, which means “to cancel” or “to invalidate,” is usually used in the context of politics or marriage. New government officials often want to annul laws and policies of the previous post-holder, effectively reversing their work. When you annul a marriage, you are officially declaring it invalid, as if it never happened. In the case of the unfortunate celebrity marriage, however, it could be difficult to completely erase all record of the event — especially if the tabloids hear about it.

Example Sentences

"Annul it west of McCloud," said I instantly.

From Golden Stories A Selection of the Best Fiction by the Foremost Writers by Various

"Annul it west of McCloud," said I, instantly.

From The Nerve of Foley And Other Railroad Stories by Spearman, Frank H. (Frank Hamilton)

Annul is used in a more general sense, denoting simply to make void; as, to annul a contract, to annul an agreement.

From Webster's Unabridged Dictionary by Webster, Noah

Annul, an-nul′, v.t. to make null, to reduce to nothing: to abolish:—pr.p. annul′ling; pa.p. annulled′.—n.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D) by Various

Related Words

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