What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
abolish
Example
The government decided to abolish the death penalty. [abolish: verb]
Example
The company decided to abolish its outdated policies. [abolishing: gerund or present participle]
nullify
Example
The judge nullified the contract due to a breach of terms. [nullify: verb]
Example
The new evidence nullified the previous ruling. [nullifying: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Nullify is less common than abolish in everyday language. Abolish is a more versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while nullify is more specific and often used in legal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between abolish and nullify?
Abolish is more commonly used in formal writing or official statements, while nullify can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but is more commonly used in legal or technical writing.
