ANNUL Synonyms: 97 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

annul

verb

ə-ˈnəl

Definition of annul

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

Relevance

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 The Monitor's View Just before a big election, the top court annuls a ban on two Israeli Arab parties. — The Monitor's Editorial Board, Christian Science Monitor, 5 Oct. 2026 Lula was jailed on corruption and money laundering charges in 2018, but the Supreme Court annulled his convictions in 2021 on procedural grounds. — Catherine Osborn, NPR, 2 Oct. 2026 Both had been on the board of the 48 Cantones of Totonicapán—one of the country’s oldest Indigenous self-governing bodies, in rural western Guatemala—when the attorney general’s office had moved to annul the vote. — Will Freeman, The Atlantic, 20 Sep. 2026 This latest attempt to move, a hopeless punt to have his contract annulled in order to leave on a free sooner, will likely see anger return at Selhurst Park on Friday night against Manchester City. — Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for annul

Recent Examples of Synonyms for annul

Verb

This cycle of price increases serves not only to offset immediate fuel price spikes, but also to make up for unadjusted pricing power lost in recent years due to flight overcapacity, fare suppression, and persistent inflation.

— , CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
But private developers and homeowners will want higher rents to offset their investments, especially because construction and labor costs have skyrocketed since the COVID-19 pandemic.

— Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of offset

Verb

Other New York literati, like Camille Paglia, expressed similar views and endorsed the organization’s goal of abolishing the age of consent.

— Jack Denton, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2026
The Book of Revelation tells us, sort of, the Antichrist will abolish financial freedom.

— David Gibson, The Verge, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of abolish

Verb

Ahead of a critical divisional matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night, the need to correct the problems sooner rather than later has become dire after a 2-4 start.

— Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Oct. 2026
Spotting where physical results diverge from computer models allows technical teams to correct their simulation software before committing to final prototype hardware.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of correct

Verb

That neutralizes the threats brought on by Southeastern and other investors, including John Rogers’ Ariel Investments, which has pushed for a sale.

— Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 22 Oct. 2026
But the Rassvet system Moscow is planning to deploy in 2027 would neutralize any such advantage.

— Mary Ilyushina, Washington Post, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of neutralize

Verb

Yet those strengths may not be enough to overturn the structural advantages enjoyed by Moscow and Beijing, said experts.

— Lee Ying Shan,Matthew Tan, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026
Bolsonaro also called for amnesty for his father, Jair Bolsonaro, who is serving a 27-year prison sentence under house arrest after being found guilty of plotting a coup to overturn his defeat in the 2022 election.

— Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of overturn

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annuity

annul

annular

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Style

“Annul.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/annul. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of annul

verb

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