Definition

1. Verb:
   • To make legally null and void; to invalidate: To officially declare something as having no legal force or effect.
   • To make of no use or value; to cancel out the effect of something: To counteract something completely, rendering it ineffective or neutral.

Examples of Usage

• Verb:
  • The new law could nullify the previous agreement.
  • The referee nullified the goal due to an offside violation.
  • Adding too much sugar might nullify the health benefits of the tea.

Advanced Usage

• "to nullify a contract": to officially declare a contract invalid and no longer binding.
  • A court can nullify a contract if it was signed under duress.
• "to nullify the impact": to completely offset or negate the effect or influence of something.
  • The positive reviews were nullified by the devastating criticism from experts.

Variants and Related Words

• Nullification (n): The act of nullifying; the state of being nullified.
  • The nullification of the treaty led to renewed tensions.
• Null (adj): Having no legal or binding force; invalid.
  • The results of the compromised election were declared null.

Synonyms

• Invalidate: To make something legally ineffective.
• Annul: To declare a marriage, law, or contract invalid.
• Negate: To nullify the effect of something; to deny its existence or truth.
• Void: To render something invalid or ineffective.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Nullify out (less common, often just "nullify"): To cancel out completely.
  • The two opposing forces nullified each other out, resulting in a stalemate.

Related Idioms

• To render null and void: A formal, emphatic way to say "to completely invalidate."
  • The discovery of fraud rendered the contract null and void.

Verb

1. make ineffective by counterbalancing the effect of
   • Her optimism neutralizes his gloom
   • This action will negate the effect of my efforts
2. show to be invalid
3. declare invalid
   • The contract was annulled
   • void a plea