nullify
Meaning: To make something legally void or ineffective; to counteract or neutralise the force or effect of something.
Nullify operates in both legal and general contexts. Legally, it means to render a decision or agreement without effect. More broadly, it means to cancel out or counterbalance — one strategy can nullify another's advantage. This dual usage makes it more versatile than 'annul,' which is confined to formal legal contexts.
Examples
- The Supreme Court nullified the lower court's ruling, declaring the original verdict to be unsound in law. 最高法院撤销了下级法院的裁决,宣布原判决在法律上是不当的。El Tribunal Supremo anuló el fallo del tribunal inferior, declarando que el veredicto original carecía de fundamento jurídico.最高裁判所は下級裁判所の判決を無効とし、原判決は法的に不当であると宣言した。대법원은 하급 법원의 판결을 무효화하며 원래 판결이 법적으로 부당하다고 선언했다.
- The late equaliser nullified all the good work the defence had done throughout the first half. 终场前的扳平进球抹消了防线在上半场所做的一切努力。El gol del empate tardío anuló todo el buen trabajo que había hecho la defensa durante la primera parte.終了間際の同点ゴールにより、前半を通じてディフェンスが行った努力がすべて帳消しになった。종료 직전의 동점골이 전반전 내내 수비진이 쌓아온 모든 노력을 무위로 돌렸다.
- New evidence emerged that effectively nullified the prosecution's central argument. 新出现的证据有效地推翻了控方的核心论点。Surgieron nuevas pruebas que anularon de hecho el argumento central de la acusación.新たな証拠が浮上し、検察側の中心的な主張を事実上無効にした。새로운 증거가 나타나 검찰 측의 핵심 주장을 사실상 무효화했다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: legal, journalism, academic
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From Late Latin nullificare (to make nothing, despise), from Latin nullus (none, not any) + facere (to make). Entered English in the 16th century.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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