nullify
Americanverb (used with object)
-
nullifies,
present (3rd person singular)
-
nullified,
past participle, past
-
nullifying
present participle
-
to render or declare legally void or inoperative.
to nullify a contract.
- Synonyms:
- cancel, void, annul, invalidate
-
to deprive (something) of value or effectiveness; make futile or of no consequence.
- Synonyms:
- cancel, void, annul, invalidate
verb
-
to render legally void or of no effect
-
to render ineffective or useless; cancel out
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
nullifysimple
-
nullifiessimple
-
have nullifiedperfect
-
has nullifiedperfect
-
am nullifyingprogressive
-
are nullifyingprogressive
-
is nullifyingprogressive
-
have been nullifyingperfect progressive
-
has been nullifyingperfect progressive
Past
-
nullifiedsimple
-
had nullifiedperfect
-
was nullifyingprogressive
-
were nullifyingprogressive
-
had been nullifyingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of nullify
First recorded in 1585–95, nullify is from the Late Latin word nūllificāre to despise. See nulli-, -fy
Explanation
To nullify something means to make it invalid or ineffective. A peace treaty is an attempt to nullify aggression and division within a region. If you take a null, or a zero, and make it into an action you can take, and you’ve got nullify — the act of making something void or zero-like. If you have an argument with your friend, it might nullify the fun you had together that day. This word is particularly used in legal language — a divorce nullifies a marriage — or in business disputes where you are trying to nullify someone else’s actions or plans.
Vocabulary lists containing nullify
Tangerine
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
100 SAT Words Beginning with "N"
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Dear Martin
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Since this is a ruling about process, it doesn’t nullify the tax.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2026
Trump could veto the measure, which would require a two-thirds majority in both chambers to nullify.
From BBC ● Jun. 3, 2026
Anything less would deprive them of due process and nullify the Convention Against Torture.
From Slate ● Feb. 28, 2026
The goal of the bill is not to nullify Newsom’s order, Toppin said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 22, 2026
The “M & M” in “M & M Enterprises” stood for Milo & Minderbinder, and the & was inserted, Milo revealed candidly, to nullify any impression that the syndicate was a one-man operation.
From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller
The equal-weight index essentially nullifies the outsize influence of eight tech giants, whose combined market capitalization takes up more than a third of the S&P 500’s total.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 9, 2026
Those who challenged it said the settlement provides clarity and “effectively nullifies the most dangerous and discriminatory impacts” of the law.
From Seattle Times ● Mar. 12, 2024
“That sort of nullifies what happens. You don’t want to turn the ball over, but if they don’t get any points, that’s a win.”
From Washington Times ● Dec. 26, 2023
The franchise is in danger of permanently opening the Doorway to Dullness if it nullifies the law of gravity so its characters’ deaths have no weight, as “What If ...?” shows.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 6, 2021
“All the other scythes must see me as very bad luck. After all, I’ve gone through two scythes in one year. I suppose this nullifies my apprenticeship.”
From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman
Having nullified the Senate, the people turned to a tyrant.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 2, 2026
Hunter would have amassed more yardage had two good runs not been nullified by penalties.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 22, 2026
After the result was declared on Friday, his party appealed against the electoral court's proclamation, calling for the vote to be nullified.
From BBC ● Jul. 4, 2026
“Once the intent to return is nullified, a home becomes a countable asset that can be used to pay for long-term care,” AgingCare says.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 10, 2026
This time the wish was not nullified by his spitting after them.
From "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith
"The study also tells us how albumin works on nullifying critical virulence factors including toxins and other fungal proteins involved in causing tissue damage and in aggressively invading human organs," explained Dr. Ibrahim.
From Science Daily ● Mar. 3, 2026
But United's squad will not change before the January transfer window, so nullifying the above issues may need an adaptation to the system or players' roles.
From BBC ● Sep. 15, 2025
In other words, Parliament accused James of unilaterally nullifying statutory law both generally and for particular people; of collecting taxes without legislative consent; and of spending money in ways not authorized by Parliament.
From Slate ● Jan. 29, 2025
After the speech, the City Council voted to begin the landmark consideration process, nullifying the demolition permits.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 7, 2024
In a few seconds, Woolf and Seabiscuit had stolen the track from him, nullifying his post-position edge and his legendary early speed.
From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
