Synonym Chooser

How does the verb invalidate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of invalidate are abrogate, annul, negate, and nullify. While all these words mean "to deprive of effective or continued existence," invalidate implies making something powerless or unacceptable by declaration of its logical or moral or legal unsoundness.

the court invalidated the statute

How are the words abrogate and annul related as synonyms of invalidate?

Abrogate is like annul but more definitely implies a legal or official act.

a law to abrogate trading privileges

When is annul a more appropriate choice than invalidate?

The meanings of annul and invalidate largely overlap; however, annul suggests making ineffective or nonexistent often by legal or official action.

the treaty annuls all previous agreements

When could negate be used to replace invalidate?

Although the words negate and invalidate have much in common, negate implies the destruction or canceling out of each of two things by the other.

the arguments negate each other

When can nullify be used instead of invalidate?

While the synonyms nullify and invalidate are close in meaning, nullify implies counteracting completely the force, effectiveness, or value of something.

a penalty nullified the touchdown

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of invalidate In 2010 Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission invalidated the federal prohibition on corporate structures spending money on their own political ads and messaging. Leah Litman, TIME, 28 Feb. 2025 Justifying one’s behavior to invalidate the feedback. Sandro Da Silva, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025 Mark Peary, the nephew of the late Superman co-creator Joe Shuster, filed the suit in January, seeking to invalidate the studio’s copyrights under the laws of the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and Ireland. Gene Maddaus, Variety, 6 Mar. 2025 In other words, if it’s approved by voters, the charter change could invalidate the victory of a candidate on the very same ballot if said candidate has already served the maximum number of terms. Tess Riski, Miami Herald, 5 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for invalidate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for invalidate
Verb
  • Even before abolishing the department, the Trump administration blocked student loan forgiveness and repayment plans, slashed department staffing, and wiped the federal watchdog agency tasked with overseeing student loan servicing and collections.
    Sareen Habeshian, Axios, 21 Mar. 2025
  • What is Trump's justification for abolishing the department?
    Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • If Congress were to defund the IMLS rather than repeal its authorizing statute, the agency would be forced to cease operations due to a lack of money, even if the legal framework for its existence remained intact.
    Devon Akmon, The Conversation, 20 Mar. 2025
  • With state universities and colleges continuing to see turnover of presidents, a House panel Wednesday unanimously approved a bill that would repeal a law shielding information about presidential candidates from public disclosure.
    Jim Saunders, Orlando Sentinel, 20 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Universal was fined $1.3 million by state regulators in 2013 for canceling customers’ policies without justification and shifting profits to affiliate companies.
    Lawrence Mower, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2025
  • About 1,200 jobs are expected to be cut at NIH as part of the layoffs at the Health and Human Services Department, and the administration also has canceled hundreds of NIH grants to scientists around the country.
    Sara Moniuszko, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Missouri banned almost all abortions in 2022, when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe.
    Summer Ballentine, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2025
  • Endangerment would require overturning a U.S. Supreme Court decision.
    Jan Ellen Spiegel, Hartford Courant, 28 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Critics of the Trump administration say its efforts to nullify the agency will cripple American influence overseas and carry devastating effects for some of the most vulnerable populations in the world, which relied on U.S. funding for health care, food, and other basic needs.
    Will Steakin, ABC News, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Judges are now appointing themselves as head of the Bureau of Prisons to nullify election results.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Soundproofing your apartment and crate-training your pup will help your dog bark less and avoid complaints from angry neighbors.
    Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Mar. 2025
  • However, with the cheapest plan (SAVE) unavailable, that feature has been turned off to avoid confusion.
    Shahar Ziv, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Invalidate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/invalidate. Accessed 5 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on invalidate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!