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 Because changing the breed would invalidate the certificate and require revaccination, shelters typically only update breed information when necessary. Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Aug. 2025 Those lawsuits could potentially invalidate the 25-year contract extension signed between the government and CK Hutchison in 2021 to keep operating the Cristóbal and Balboa ports. Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 18 Aug. 2025 However, their aggressive roots eventually invalidated them for this purpose, although they are still used for windbreaks or privacy screens. Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 16 Aug. 2025 Unfortunately for the leagues, a little shoddy research on the part of some House interns doesn’t invalidate the HJC’s concerns. Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 15 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for invalidate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for invalidate
Verb
  • Merz, for his part, would like to abolish this daily working limit while still maintaining the 40-hour workweek, allowing working days to become more flexible.
    Alex Ledsom, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2025
  • In 2018, China’s legislature abolished presidential term limits in a ceremonial vote, effectively allowing Xi to rule for life.
    Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • As Democrats weigh what to seek in exchange for agreeing to a GOP government funding plan, party leaders are publicly urging Republicans to repeal their future Medicaid cuts.
    Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • That means those rules would not be repealed for this school year, which has already begun.
    Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • In the last few years, Beyoncé, Pink, and Noah Kahan, among others, have had concerts canceled or delayed by extreme lightning, rain, or wildfire smoke.
    David Browne, Rolling Stone, 6 Sep. 2025
  • On social media, Marquette announced that all athletic events for the weekend would be canceled, and a special mass for the school community was held on Saturday afternoon.
    Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • An outside hearing examiner overturned the December dismissal of Matthew Krueger, saying there was no cause to support any disciplinary action, according to a Facebook post by the Fort Worth Police Officers Association.
    Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Sep. 2025
  • The administration contends the law is unconstitutional, asserting an expansive view of presidential power that could prompt the Supreme Court to overturn what remains of its 90-year-old precedent upholding such removal protections.
    Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Pauses, negotiations, and now the legal questions facing the administration’s tariff program mean that the substantive impacts of these tariffs (as opposed to the psychological shock of the announcements) have not yet been felt – and may not be if the courts nullify these measures.
    George Calhoun, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
  • But the County Commission then voted to nullify the preservation board’s move, Stander recalled.
    Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Take extra caution when on the road or avoid driving if possible.
    KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT, Kansas City Star, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Refrain from entering water that may have electricity in it and avoid walking through floodwaters.
    STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Invalidate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/invalidate. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.

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