annul

verb

ə-ˈnəl How to pronounce annul (audio)
Definition of annulnext
1
as in to offset
to balance with an equal force so as to make ineffective unfortunately, his arrogant attitude annuls the many generous favors he does for people

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in to abolish
to put an end to by formal action plans to annul their short-lived, ill-advised marriage

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb annul differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of annul are abrogate, invalidate, negate, and nullify. While all these words mean "to deprive of effective or continued existence," annul suggests making ineffective or nonexistent often by legal or official action.

the treaty annuls all previous agreements

How do abrogate and annul relate to one another?

Abrogate is like annul but more definitely implies a legal or official act.

a law to abrogate trading privileges

Where would invalidate be a reasonable alternative to annul?

While in some cases nearly identical to annul, invalidate implies making something powerless or unacceptable by declaration of its logical or moral or legal unsoundness.

the court invalidated the statute

When is it sensible to use negate instead of annul?

The words negate and annul can be used in similar contexts, but negate implies the destruction or canceling out of each of two things by the other.

the arguments negate each other

When might nullify be a better fit than annul?

While the synonyms nullify and annul are close in meaning, nullify implies counteracting completely the force, effectiveness, or value of something.

a penalty nullified the touchdown

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of annul Georgescu unexpectedly took the lead in the Romanian presidential election in late November 2024, after which Romania annulled the results of the first round of the election. — Ross Rosenfeld, Newsweek, 26 Feb. 2025 Last November, Romania elected a far-right, pro-Russian candidate to be its next president, only to have the results annulled by a constitutional court over accusations of Kremlin interference. — Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 17 Feb. 2025 Specifically, Vance questioned a December presidential vote in Romania that was annulled after a pro-Russian ultranationalist candidate won an upset victory. — Karen Gilchrist, CNBC, 14 Feb. 2025 The decision to annul the first-round results was made two days before the Dec. 8 runoff. — arkansasonline.com, 11 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for annul
Recent Examples of Synonyms for annul
  1. offset
  2. abolish
  3. correct
  4. repeal
  5. neutralize
  6. cancel
  7. overturn
Verb
  • Alongside giving away free wearables to smartphone buyers, Samsung’s new Galaxy Tab S10 FE has landed with a fresh 10% voucher code to offset the unexpected $50 price hike.
    — Janhoi McGregor, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Those cuts may impact Medicaid, the program that provides health benefits to 72 million low-income Americans, and food benefit programs, because fiscal conservatives in both chambers are pushing for deep deficit reductions to offset spending on tax programs.
    — Riley Beggin, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of offset
Verb
  • Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves (R.) has signed legislation to abolish the state’s income tax.
    — Douglas Carswell, National Review, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Democrats who previously demanded that the Senate abolish the filibuster are now furious that the party didn’t use it.
    — Editorial, Boston Herald, 31 Mar. 2025
Definition of abolish
Verb
  • This story has been corrected to show the name of the residents' group is Eaton Fire Residents United, not Eaton Fire Residents Unite.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2025
  • According to the administration, the measure will correct long-standing global trade imbalances that have disadvantaged the U.S. and motivate companies to relocate their manufacturing operations in the country.
    — Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of correct
Verb
  • Following Trump’s April 2 speech, McConnell kept his promise to Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine and voted for his Senate resolution to repeal the emergency declaration that allowed Trump to place tariffs on Canada.
    — Meredith Kile, People.com, 3 Apr. 2025
  • The site currently gives a 5 percent chance that Trump will either sign a bill into law aiming to repeal or alter the 22nd Amendment, or that the Supreme Court will rule in a way that allows a president to serve more than two terms by July 31, 2025.
    — Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025
Definition of repeal
Verb
  • These ants, known for their ability to detonate their own bodies, release a toxic secretion to neutralize the threat of invading predators.
    — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
  • The agency said the test demonstrated the reconnaissance drone's ability to track multiple targets and monitor troop movements on land and at sea, potentially enhancing North Korea's intelligence-gathering operations and ability to neutralize enemy threats.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of neutralize
Verb
  • Such initiatives, therefore, come under threat – if not cancelled outright, as 2008-2009 showed – if companies are forced to make major budget cutbacks.
    — Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
  • The district received only $6 million of its $150 million grant before the program was canceled.
    — Jeffrey Schweers, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2025
Definition of cancel
Verb
  • The decision overturned a lower court ruling that had required their reinstatement, supporting Trump's efforts to downsize the federal workforce.
    — Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Apr. 2025
  • He was released after a court overturned his 40-year sentence for the kidnapping and killing of Camarena.
    — Greg Norman, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of overturn

Browse Nearby Words

annuity
annul
annular
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Cite this Entry

“Annul.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/annul. Accessed 17 Apr. 2025.

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