annul

[uh-nuhl]

verb (used with object), an·nulled, an·nul·ling.

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

to reduce to nothing; obliterate.

to cancel (a regularly scheduled train, plane, social event, etc.) for one day or one time only.

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

Related formsan·nul·la·ble, adjectiveself-an·nul·ling, adjectiveun·an·nul·la·ble, adjectiveun·an·nulled, adjective

Can be confusedanal annual annul

Synonyms for annul

1. nullify; rescind, repeal.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for annulling

invalidate, delete, revoke, reverse, expunge, vacate, undo, abolish, nullify, retract, quash, dissolve, cancel, abrogate, repeal, declare, rescind, efface, scrub, annihilate

Examples from the Web for annulling

Contemporary Examples of annulling

Within days of the presidential poll, the High Court shocked the country by annulling the parliament based on technicalities.
Egypt’s President versus Egypt’s Judges
Mike Giglio
April 24, 2013

Historical Examples of annulling

That Daniel was not thinking of annulling his marriage, that he could not think of it, Eleanore knew.
The Goose Man
Jacob Wassermann
Thus he was forced to write to Petronius annulling his former decree.
History of the Jews, Vol. II (of 6)
Heinrich Graetz
In annulling the Two-penny Act the King crossed lances with the representatives of the people and had come off second best.
Give Me Liberty
Thomas J. Wertenbaker
He assumed a priestly character, preaching, absolving, annulling marriages.
View of the State of Europe during the Middle Ages, Vol. 3 (of 3)
Henry Hallam
An ex post facto law was brought in with great precipitation, for annulling this dividend.
The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke, Vol. I. (of 12)
Edmund Burke

British Dictionary definitions for annulling

annul

verb -nuls, -nulling or -nulled

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

Derived Formsannullable, adjective

Word Origin for annul

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

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

Word Origin and History for annulling

annul

late 14c., from Old French anuller (13c.) or directly from Late Latin annullare "to make to nothing," from Latin ad- "to" (see ad-) + nullum, neuter of nullus "nothing" (see null). Related: Annulled; annulling.