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
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nullifysimple
-
nullifiessimple
-
have nullifiedperfect
-
has nullifiedperfect
-
am nullifyingprogressive
-
are nullifyingprogressive
-
is nullifyingprogressive
-
have been nullifyingperfect progressive
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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
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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:
You can’t nullify a threat you don’t know about.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 25, 2026
"Attackers crowd the goalkeeper hoping to nullify his movement and effectiveness," Cann explained.
From BBC ● Mar. 2, 2026
Anything less would deprive them of due process and nullify the Convention Against Torture.
From Slate ● Feb. 28, 2026
The possibility the Supreme Court could nullify some import taxes has added to the uncertainty.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 3, 2026
I pitied him and did not argue with him, for I knew that persuasion would not nullify his fears.
From "Black Boy" by Richard Wright
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
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
“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
Some humanoid makers have nullified the issue by eschewing legs.
From The Wall Street Journal ● 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
Judge Cummings said: "If there ever was any remorse it is completely nullified by these offensive lies."
From BBC ● Apr. 17, 2026
Yamamoto started the seventh inning and faced two batters — the first doubled after an ABS review nullified a strikeout, the second dropped a bunt single — then left after 97 pitches.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 8, 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
In this example, the Chelsea players have roles as 'blockers' - a tactic that is increasingly common from corners, with the aim of nullifying the strongest aerial threats by impeding their movement.
From BBC ● Mar. 8, 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
The Bruins coughed up two fumbles in the first half and would have lost a third had the Huskies not been called for defensive holding on the play, nullifying the turnover.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 23, 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
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.
