What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
annul
Example
The court decided to annul the marriage due to fraud. [annul: verb]
Example
The company had to annul the contract because of a breach of terms. [annul: verb]
abolish
Example
The government decided to abolish the death penalty. [abolish: verb]
Example
The school board voted to abolish the outdated dress code policy. [abolish: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Abolish is more commonly used than annul in everyday language. Abolish is a widely understood term that can be applied to a broader range of situations, while annul is less commonly used and often limited to legal or formal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between annul and abolish?
While annul is typically associated with a more formal or technical tone, abolish is neutral in formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
