nullification

[ nuhl-uh-fi-key-shuhn ]

/ ˌnʌl ə fɪˈkeɪ ʃən /

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See synonyms for nullification on Thesaurus.com

noun

an act or instance of nullifying.

the state of being nullified.

the failure or refusal of a U.S. state to aid in enforcement of federal laws within its limits, especially on Constitutional grounds.

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Origin of nullification

First recorded in 1620–30; from Late Latin nūllificātiōn- (stem of nūllificātiō ) “contempt,” equivalent to nūllificāt(us) (past participle of nūllificāre “to despise, contemn”) + -iōn- -ion; see nullify

OTHER WORDS FROM nullification

nul·li·fi·ca·tion·ist, nul·li·fi·ca·tor, nounnon·nul·li·fi·ca·tion, nounre·nul·li·fi·ca·tion, noun

Words nearby nullification

nulla-nulla, Nullarbor Plain, null character, null hypothesis, nulli-, nullification, nullifidian, nullify, nullipara, nulliparous, nullipore

How to use nullification in a sentence

Calhoun supported state nullification of federal laws and gave a speech to Congress titled “Slavery as a Positive Good.”
Election Day Is Scarier Than Halloween|P. J. O’Rourke|November 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This behavior is so unprecedented that neutral observers have likened it to nullification and other anti-majoritarian tactics.
Why Democrats Should End Nomination Filibusters|Jamelle Bouie|October 31, 2013|DAILY BEAST
His later acquittal was my reintroduction to jury nullification, which I will discuss further in a moment.
Not This Again: The Ghost of Past Injustices, From the Draft Riots to Trayvon|Herb Boyd|July 15, 2013|DAILY BEAST
I oppose nullification by states of duly passed laws of Congress.
The South's Contribution (Singular!)|Michael Tomasky|February 12, 2013|DAILY BEAST

His point being I guess that nullification wasn't limited to the South.
The South's Contribution (Singular!)|Michael Tomasky|February 12, 2013|DAILY BEAST
We will not give up our forms of political speech to the grammarians of the school of nullification.
Select Speeches of Daniel Webster|Daniel Webster
It threatens his whole doctrine of compact, and its darling derivatives, nullification and secession, with instant confutation.
Select Speeches of Daniel Webster|Daniel Webster
Does he not see how cogently he might be asked, whether it be the character of nullification to practise what it preaches?
Select Speeches of Daniel Webster|Daniel Webster
And so this doctrine, running but a short career, like other dogmas of the day, terminates in nullification.
Select Speeches of Daniel Webster|Daniel Webster
Since the days of Andrew Jackson the word "nullification" has had an ugly and dangerous sound.
Humanly Speaking|Samuel McChord Crothers

Cultural definitions for nullification

nullification

The doctrine that states can set aside federal laws. Urged in the late 1820s by John C. Calhoun, nullification precipitated a crisis between Calhoun and President Andrew Jackson. The doctrine was foreshadowed by Thomas Jefferson's draft of the Kentucky Resolutions. (See Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions.)

nullification

Origin of nullification

OTHER WORDS FROM nullification

Words nearby nullification

Words related to nullification

How to use nullification in a sentence

Cultural definitions for nullification