Definition of invalidatenext

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 But those House lines were invalidated by the district court. Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 27 May 2026 None of that invalidates the thesis. Sandy Carter, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026 These investigations, launched after the Supreme Court invalidated earlier tariff measures, could serve a legitimate purpose. Richard W. Rahn, Fortune, 27 May 2026 The 1965 Voting Rights Act effectively invalidated the superficially race-neutral schemes designed to deprive Black people of the vote. Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 19 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for invalidate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for invalidate
Verb
  • And actually one of his first public acts after signing the Constitution was to petition Congress to abolish slavery.
    Dana Taylor, USA Today, 1 June 2026
  • Avila Chevalier’s campaign priorities also include abolishing ICE, adding affordable housing and securing federal funds to repair the city’s public housing.
    Joseph Strauss, Sun Sentinel, 1 June 2026
Verb
  • After yearlong protests from farmers across the country, Modi repealed the controversial laws in November 2021.
    Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 4 June 2026
  • Massachusetts has implemented rent control three separate times, with the latest rent control law being repealed by voters in a 1994 ballot initiative.
    Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 4 June 2026
Verb
  • Italian authorities have canceled upcoming concerts by Kanye West and Travis Scott that had been scheduled to take place in July in the northern city of Reggio Emilia, citing security concerns.
    Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 31 May 2026
  • When a user cancels a promotional subscription, the system flags the promo as redeemed, and it can’t be reinstated, even by Google’s support staff.
    Paul Monckton, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
Verb
  • Bolsonaro was arrested and ultimately convicted of plotting a coup to overturn the results of that election.
    Jim DeFede, CBS News, 6 June 2026
  • Hennis was initially convicted in state court in 1986, but the conviction was overturned on appeal because of evidentiary issues.
    Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 6 June 2026
Verb
  • However, as the game continued, Greenwood recognised that the visitors, particularly through goalkeeper Jennifer Falk and defender Jenna Clark, were effectively nullifying her delivery threat.
    Megan Feringa, New York Times, 31 May 2026
  • Mamdani’s announcement of COGE, which made no mention of Elon Musk’s DOGE, came just days after the mayor nullified former Mayor Eric Adams’s Charter Revision Commission, which Adams stacked full of his own allies just before leaving office.
    Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 28 May 2026
Verb
  • Residents and visitors were urged to avoid the area as the investigation continues.
    Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 7 June 2026
  • Residents and festivalgoers were urged to avoid the area and expect a significant law enforcement presence as officers continue their search and investigators work to determine what led to the shooting.
    Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 7 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Invalidate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/invalidate. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on invalidate

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster