Annul means to say that something official is not allowed anymore. It is like saying 'This is not real' to a rule or a marriage. It is a very formal word. Most A1 learners use 'stop' or 'cancel' instead. For example, if a king says a wedding is not real, he annuls it.
At the A2 level, you can think of 'annul' as a special way to cancel something official. It is usually used for laws or marriages. If a court annuls a decision, it means the decision is gone and we act like it never happened. It is much more formal than 'cancel'.
B1 learners should recognize 'annul' in legal or historical stories. It means to officially declare that a contract, law, or marriage is invalid. If something is annulled, it has no legal power. It is often used in history books when talking about kings and queens who wanted to end their marriages.
At B2, 'annul' is used to describe the formal invalidation of something. It implies that the thing being annulled was flawed from the start. For example, if an election was not fair, a judge might annul the results. This means the results are deleted and a new election must happen.
C1 students use 'annul' to describe the retroactive invalidation of legal instruments. It is a precise term. To annul a contract is to state that it was never legally binding. It is often contrasted with 'terminate' or 'rescind'. In C1 writing, use it when discussing constitutional law or formal agreements.
For C2 mastery, 'annul' is understood as a declaration of 'voidness ab initio'. It is used in complex legal discourse to signify that a specific act or status is legally non-existent. C2 speakers use it to discuss the nuances of international treaties, ecclesiastical law, and the ontological status of legal decisions that have been overturned.

annual in 30 Sekunden

  • To officially declare something void.
  • Commonly used for marriages and contracts.
  • Implies the thing never legally existed.
  • A formal, legal-register verb.

To annul something is to declare it invalid or void from a legal or official standpoint. Unlike a simple cancellation, an annulment often carries the implication that the event or contract in question is treated as though it never occurred in the first place. This is a high-level, formal verb most commonly found in legal, ecclesiastical, and governmental contexts.

Legal Status
The term 'annul' is used when a court or authority finds a fundamental flaw in the creation of a contract or marriage, rendering it 'void ab initio' (void from the beginning).

The high court moved to annul the results of the disputed election due to widespread procedural irregularities.

In the context of marriage, an annulment is distinct from a divorce. While a divorce ends a valid marriage, an annulment declares that a valid marriage never existed. This distinction is crucial in various religious and legal systems. For instance, the Catholic Church provides annulments if certain conditions were not met at the time of the wedding, such as a lack of full consent or the intent to exclude children. Similarly, in contract law, if a party was coerced into signing, a judge might annul the agreement, effectively wiping the slate clean for both parties involved.

Scope of Application
Annulment can apply to laws, treaties, marriages, contracts, and even judicial decisions that were reached through improper means.

Historians often discuss how Henry VIII sought to annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon.

Using 'annul' correctly requires an understanding of its formal register. You wouldn't 'annul' a lunch date; you would 'cancel' it. You 'annul' things that have a formal, documented existence. It is almost always used in the passive voice in news reporting (e.g., 'The contract was annulled') or in the active voice when referring to an authority figure like a judge, a king, or a governing body.

Collocation: Courts
The court has the power to annul any legislation that violates the constitution.

The legislative body voted to annul the previous administration's executive orders.

When writing academic or legal papers, 'annul' is preferred over 'void' or 'nullify' when the focus is on the official declaration of invalidity. It suggests a procedural finality. For example, if an election is found to be fraudulent, the results are annulled, necessitating a new vote. In this sense, 'annul' is a transformative verb—it changes the reality of the past by removing its legal weight.

Collocation: Marriages
They sought legal counsel to annul their union after discovering the fraudulent identity of one spouse.

The parliament can annul a treaty if it is found to be detrimental to national sovereignty.

You will primarily encounter 'annul' in three arenas: the courtroom, the halls of government, and historical documentaries. In the news, it appears during political crises—specifically when elections are contested. If a Supreme Court finds that voting machines were tampered with, the headline will likely read: 'Court Annuls Election Results'.

Media Usage
Journalists use 'annul' to convey the gravity of a legal reversal, distinguishing it from a mere policy change.

The international tribunal has the authority to annul the trade agreement.

In historical contexts, 'annul' is famously associated with the English Reformation. The refusal of the Pope to annul Henry VIII's marriage to Catherine of Aragon led to the creation of the Church of England. This historical weight makes the word feel powerful and somewhat archaic, though it remains a standard term in modern family law and corporate litigation.

The most common mistake is confusing 'annul' with 'annual'. While they look similar, 'annual' means 'yearly' and is an adjective, whereas 'annul' is a verb meaning 'to void'. Another frequent error is using 'annul' for informal cancellations. You cannot 'annul' a subscription to a magazine; you 'cancel' it. 'Annul' requires a level of legal or formal authority.

Annul vs. Divorce
Divorce ends a marriage; annulment says it never happened. Confusing these in a legal context can have significant financial implications.

Incorrect: I need to annul my gym membership.

Furthermore, 'annul' is often confused with 'nullify'. While they are synonyms, 'nullify' is broader. You can nullify the effects of a poison, but you wouldn't 'annul' a poison. 'Annul' is strictly for the invalidation of laws, contracts, and formal statuses. Ensure that the object of the verb is something that was officially established.

Several words share a semantic space with 'annul', but each has its own nuance. 'Nullify' is the closest synonym, often used interchangeably in legal contexts, though 'nullify' can also mean to make something lose its value or effect in a general sense. 'Void' is often used as a verb in the phrase 'null and void', meaning to make something legally empty.

Comparison: Rescind
To rescind is to take back an offer or a law. It focuses on the act of withdrawal, whereas annul focuses on the status of invalidity.
Comparison: Abrogate
Abrogate is a very formal term used for the official abolition of a law or right by an authoritative act.

While they might annul the contract, they could also simply choose to renegotiate the terms.

How Formal Is It?

Aussprachehilfe

Reimt sich auf
dull, gull

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Wichtige Grammatik

Passive voice construction

Subjunctive mood in formal decrees

Beispiele nach Niveau

1

The king wanted to annul the wedding.

The king wanted to say the wedding was not real.

Verb + Object

2

They can annul the rule.

They can stop the rule.

Modal + Verb

1

The constitutional court moved to annul the legislation, citing a violation of fundamental rights.

The court officially made the law void.

Infinitive of purpose

2

Failure to disclose prior debts may provide grounds to annul the merger agreement.

The merger can be made invalid.

Gerund phrase as subject

Synonyme

nullify invalidate void rescind abrogate quash

Gegenteile

validate ratify uphold

Häufige Kollokationen

annul a marriage
annul a contract
annul an election
annul a law
seek to annul

Wird oft verwechselt mit

annual vs annual

annual vs annulment

annual vs nullify

Leicht verwechselbar

annual vs

annual vs

Satzmuster

So verwendest du es

legal

An annulment is retroactive.

general

It is a very strong word for 'cancel'.

Häufige Fehler
  • Using 'annul' instead of 'annual'.
  • Using 'annul' for a doctor's appointment.

Tipps

Legal Precision

Use annul specifically for legal invalidation.

Einprägen

Wortherkunft

Latin

Kultureller Kontext

Ecclesiastical annulments are common in Canon Law.

Henry VIII's quest for annulment changed European history.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Gesprächseinstiege

"Have you ever heard of an election being annulled?"

"What is the difference between divorce and annulment in your country?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

Write about a time a rule was annulled.

Discuss the ethical implications of annulling a contract.

Häufig gestellte Fragen

2 Fragen

No, annul is formal and often retroactive.

No, you annul a status or a contract.

Teste dich selbst 180 Fragen

writing

Explain why a court might annul an election.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Pronounce 'annulled' correctly.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen for the word: 'The treaty was annulled.'

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Use 'annul' in a sentence about a law.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Talk about a famous historical annulment.

Read this aloud:

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listening

Identify the context: 'The judge annuls the verdict.'

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence with 'annul'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'The king annuls the law.'

Read this aloud:

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listening

Which word is used: annul or annual?

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writing

Why would someone annul a contract?

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Explain 'annul' to a friend.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen: 'The election was annulled.'

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Describe an annulled election.

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Discuss the legal theory of annulment.

Read this aloud:

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listening

Context: 'The ecclesiastical court annuls...'

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a formal notice of annulment.

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Use 'annul' in a business context.

Read this aloud:

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listening

What was annulled in the clip?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Compare annul and divorce.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Debate: Should we annul historical debts?

Read this aloud:

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listening

Listen for 'annul' vs 'nullify'.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Use 'annul' for a rule.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say 'annulment' three times.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Which syllable is stressed?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Discuss the impact of annulling a national election.

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Explain the difference between void and voidable.

Read this aloud:

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listening

Identify the tone of 'annul'.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write about a king annulling a law.

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Use 'annul' in a sentence about a contract.

Read this aloud:

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listening

What is the root of annul?

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

I ____ the rule.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say 'annul'.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and repeat: annul.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Describe the process of annulling a law.

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Discuss: Can a contract be annulled after 10 years?

Read this aloud:

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listening

Listen for the reason for annulment.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence using 'annulment'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Pronounce 'annulment'.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

How many syllables in annulment?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

I want to ____ the rule.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'Annul the contract.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen: 'Annul'.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence about an annulled law.

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Explain 'void ab initio'.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen for the word 'annulment'.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

The judge ____ the rule.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'The judge annulled it.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen: 'Annulment'.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

I ____ the rule.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say 'annul'.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen: 'Annul'.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Analyze the consequences of an annulled treaty.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Discuss 'annulment' in canon law.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen for the nuance of 'annul'.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:

/ 180 correct

Perfect score!

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