Word
nullify
Phoneticsnul·li·fy, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈnəɫəˌfaɪ/
UK/nˈʌlɪfˌaɪ/
Definition
v. to make something invalid or to cancel its effect. You use this when a law or a contract is no longer useful or legal.
v. to make something ineffective, invalid, or legally void. Often describes the process of rendering a legal document or a contract unenforceable.
Examples
“The new law will nullify the old one.”
“The judge ruled that the evidence was so biased that it would nullify the entire trial.”
“The constitutional amendment was designed to nullify the previous executive order, effectively restoring the original legal framework that had been suspended during the emergency.”
Examples
simple
“The new law will nullify the old one.”
contextual
“The judge ruled that the evidence was so biased that it would nullify the entire trial.”
complex
“The constitutional amendment was designed to nullify the previous executive order, effectively restoring the original legal framework that had been suspended during the emergency.”
Real-World Examples
“But the Spanish Supreme Court nullified the measure in 2013 following a long legal challenge by a Muslim association.” “Other teams will react and nullify your strengths.” Etymology
From null + -ify.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/nullify