nullify
verb
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A legislature may nullify a ban, a law, or a tax by simply passing a new law. Election results can be nullified if a court finds the voting process was improper, and a court ruling can be nullified by a higher court. Even the Supreme Court itself may have its decisions nullified by new laws passed by the Congress—though not if a decision is based on the Constitution. In the years leading up to the American Civil War, Southern states claimed the right to nullify any federal law (such as antislavery laws) that they believed to be unconstitutional, leading to the Nullification Crisis of 1832. Annul is a close synonym of nullify (with the same root), as are abrogate and invalidate.
Synonyms
Examples of nullify in a Sentence
Jessie Opoien, Journal Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2024
Jered Taylor, a former Missouri Republican lawmaker who championed that state’s bill nullifying federal gun laws, insisted law enforcement concerns were overblown.
—Katie Bernard, Kansas City Star, 7 Mar. 2024
According to Tubb, the photo featured in the sequel is actually an altered version of a behind-the-scenes shot of the original actors, nullifying any copyright claims.
—Malia Mendez, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2024
In a complaint filed Tuesday in Los Angeles Superior Court and obtained by EW, Poche's lawyers Bryan Freedman and Mark Geragos are seeking to nullify her contract after Delirium initiated private arbitration against her for allegedly violating her nondisclosure agreement.
—Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 3 Jan. 2024
The special counsel’s office is asking Judge Tanya Chutkan to block any attempts Trump makes to nullify his jury, which his lawyers could do by trying to inject politics into the evidence presented.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 2 Jan. 2024
But now state lawmakers are advancing legislation that would nullify the Memphis law.
—Tom Jackman, Washington Post, 10 Mar. 2024
In that case, the judge acknowledged that the Supreme Court may nullify her decision.
—Virginia Chamlee, Peoplemag, 4 Mar. 2024
The bill would effectively nullify a 2023 state Supreme Court ruling holding that multiple convictions stemming from the same criminal complaint do not necessarily classify someone as a repeat offender.
—Jessie Opoien, Journal Sentinel, 16 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'nullify.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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“Nullify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nullify. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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nullify
verb
Legal Definition
nullify
transitive verb
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