make something have no effect or no longer valid

nullify

verb|/ˈnʌl.ɪ.faɪ/

To make something legally void or completely ineffective

Examples

In a meeting

That clause would nullify the entire agreement if triggered.

Over coffee

One bad review shouldn't nullify all the positive feedback you've gotten.

Why this word

cancel

Nullify makes legally void or invalid, cancel is general revocation or stopping

void

Nullify is the action of making void, void describes the resulting state

invalidate

Nullify and invalidate are similar, but nullify emphasizes reducing to nothing legally

Usage tip

Use for canceling out effects or making something legally invalid; stronger than 'cancel'

Etymology

Latin nullus (none, not any) + -fy (to make)

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