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
You can’t nullify a threat you don’t know about.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 25, 2026
Given how effective De Zerbi's approach was in 2022, coaches have since made a conscious effort to nullify those same tactics.
From BBC ● Aug. 22, 2026
Anything less would deprive them of due process and nullify the Convention Against Torture.
From Slate ● Feb. 28, 2026
I wasn’t sure why, but they loved pointing out to me that they could already see an inch of my hair, like maybe that would be enough to nullify the whole thing.
From "A Very Large Expanse of Sea" by Tahereh Mafi
If competing proposals appear on a ballot and are successful, the one that receives the most votes nullifies the other.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 10, 2026
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
The acknowledgment nullifies the alleged need for a new missile entirely.
From Slate ● Sep. 16, 2025
“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
“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
But having a defensive midfielder stationed accordingly would, in all likelihood, have nullified the threat.
From BBC ● Aug. 26, 2026
Hunter would have amassed more yardage had two good runs not been nullified by penalties.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 22, 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
With the closure of the port, most of the College’s income was stopped up and its investments nullified; and so to anxiety was added penury.
From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume I: The Pox Party" by M.T. Anderson
The attorney coalition had also pushed an initiative aimed at nullifying Uber’s fee-capping measure if it passed.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 23, 2026
"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
Dorgu man-marked Rico Lewis - nullifying his influence as he moved into central attacking positions - while Amad often dropped into the defensive line to form a back five, marshalling Jeremy Doku well.
From BBC ● Jan. 17, 2026
South Africa hammered Ireland in the scrum, leading many pundits to question how other sides can even get close to nullifying their forward power.
From Barron's ● Nov. 30, 2025
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
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions 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.
