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Intellectuals may speak of a book or a film as a nullity, claiming it possesses nothing original enough to justify its existence. Legal scholars also use the word; a law passed by a legislature may be called a nullity if, for example, it's so obviously unconstitutional that it's going to be shot down by the courts in no time. And if you're in an unkind mood, you're also free to call a person a nullity, if you're not instead calling him a nobody, a nonentity, or a zero.
Examples of nullity in a Sentence
Jason Farago, New York Times, 8 May 2025
If death metal is more fatalistic, more depressive — though not necessarily nihilistic — black metal, at least early on, was more interested in examining evil and proclaiming the nullity of certain values, including musical values.
—Mikal Gilmore, Rolling Stone, 30 Mar. 2025
Conversely, if the TCJA overrides the analysis set forth in the revenue procedure, the TCJA would govern, rendering Rev. Proc. 2009-20 a nullity.
—Matthew Roberts, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
Journal Editorial Report: How to make Congress a nullity.
—Giovanni Caforio, WSJ, 29 Aug. 2023
The thousands of votes already cast and those to be cast on Aug. 8, 2023, for mayoral candidates would be a nullity.
—Christina Hall, Detroit Free Press, 7 Aug. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Nullity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nullity. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
nullity
noun
Louisiana Civil Code
Note: A marriage that is an absolute nullity does not have to be annulled to terminate its legal effects (as property rights).
Note: A contract that is a relative nullity may be annulled and the parties restored to their original positions. A marriage that is a relative nullity must be annulled to terminate the legal effects (as property rights) of the marriage.
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