INVALIDATE Synonyms: 79 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

invalidate

verb

(ˌ)in-ˈva-lə-ˌdāt

Definition of invalidate next

as in to abolish

to put an end to by formal action those nations eventually invalidated their trade agreement

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

Examples 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 The Right Decision Doesn’t Always Feel Good For leaders who have often felt that their knowledge was invalidated, the discomfort with making hard decisions is often more apparent. —

Topsie Vandenbosch, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024 The Georgia judge overseeing the state’s election interference case against President-elect Trump and several allies on Friday rejected ex-Trump lawyer Kenneth Chesebro’s attempt to invalidate his guilty plea in an election interference case. —

Ella Lee, The Hill, 13 Dec. 2024 This does not necessarily invalidate the findings of the studies, but the number and quality of studies need to be considered when looking at the results. —

Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 1 Dec. 2024 Democrats want to steal the election and invalidate the will of the American people. —

Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 27 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for invalidate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for invalidate

Verb

That loophole remained open following the most recent U.S. election, which saw California voters shooting down Proposition 6, which would have abolished prison labor.

Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 11 Jan. 2025
So legislation abolishing the department (already written by GOP Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota) would have to pass through budget reconciliation, which lets certain legislation pass with a mere majority in the Senate.

Dylan Matthews, Vox, 2 Jan. 2025