noun

nullification

nul-ih-fih-KAY-shun/nˌʌlʌfʌkˈeɪʃʌn/

The act of declaring something legally void or making it ineffective.

The court orders the nullification of the contract because of fraud.

A plain official document with an attached ribbon seal is decisively stamped VOID by an adult clerk in a neutral office; the only text is the essential functional stamp VOID.

Etymology

nullLatinnot any, none

+ificLatinto make

+ationLatinaction or process

The pieces express “making nothing,” the literal image behind nullification. In legal use, what is reduced to nothing is a measure’s force or effect.

In context

US National Archives32:56

10 days saying you know maybe we went too far and if the Virginia resolutions went too far the Kentucky Resolutions which are much more aggressive you know talking about nullification laws are null void of No Force and effect

For the People, For the Country: Patrick Henry’s Final Political Battle

More examples

The new rule results in the nullification of all previous permits.
Jury nullification occurs when jurors acquit despite proof that a law was broken.
Supporters of nullification argue that states can reject federal laws.

Forms

nullification · nullifications

nullify verb — To make legally void or without effect.

Similar words

annulment: Usually formally voids a marriage, contract, or legal decision.
invalidation: Can concern evidence or results, not just legal acts.
cancellation: Ends an arrangement without necessarily declaring it legally void.