annul

[ uh-nuhl ]

verb (used with object)

, an·nulled, an·nul·ling.

1. (especially of laws or other established rules, usages, etc.) to make void or null; abolish; cancel; invalidate:

   to annul a marriage.

   Synonyms: repeal, rescind, nullify

2. to reduce to nothing; obliterate.
3. to cancel (a regularly scheduled train, plane, social event, etc.) for one day or one time only.

annul

/ əˈnʌl /

verb

1. tr to make (something, esp a law or marriage) void; cancel the validity of; abolish

Derived Forms

• anˈnullable, adjective

Other Words From

• an·nulla·ble adjective
• self-an·nulling adjective
• unan·nulla·ble adjective
• unan·nulled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of annul¹

1375–1425; late Middle English < Anglo-French annuler < Late Latin adnūllāre render null (calque of Greek exoudeneîn ), equivalent to ad- ad- + -nullāre, verbal derivative of Latin nūllus no, not any

Word History and Origins

Origin of annul¹

C14: from Old French annuller, from Late Latin annullāre to bring to nothing, from Latin nullus not any; see null

Example Sentences

According to Titi Anggraini, an elections analyst at University of Indonesia, parliament's move to annul the court's decision is unconstitutional.

From BBC

“Anora,” by the American filmmaker of “The Florida Project,” is about a Brooklyn sex worker who marries the son of a wealthy Russian oligarch, provoking a farcical rush to annul the marriage.

From Seattle Times

The General Election Commission certified the election results on March 20, but the formal declaration ceremony was put on hold following legal challenges from rival candidates, former Jakarta Gov. Anies Baswedan and former Central Java Gov. Ganjar Pranowo, who sought to annul the result and demand a revote.

From Seattle Times

The losing candidates — former Jakarta Gov. Anies Baswedan and former Central Java Gov. Ganjar Pranowo — say the election was marred by irregularities and are asking the Constitutional Court to annul the results and order a revote in separate lawsuits.

From Seattle Times

Turkey's election authority has scrapped a decision to annul an pro-Kurdish candidate's election victory after days of escalating protests.

From BBC

Related Words

• abolish
• abrogate
• cancel
• declare
• delete
• dissolve
• expunge
• invalidate
• nullify
• quash
• repeal
• rescind
• retract
• reverse
• revoke
• undo
• vacate