1
2

Synonym Chooser

How is the word valid different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of valid are cogent, convincing, sound, and telling. While all these words mean "having such force as to compel serious attention and usually acceptance," valid implies being supported by objective truth or generally accepted authority.

a valid reason for being absent
a valid marriage

When might cogent be a better fit than valid?

While in some cases nearly identical to valid, cogent may stress either weight of sound argument and evidence or lucidity of presentation.

the prosecutor's cogent summation won over the jury

When is convincing a more appropriate choice than valid?

Although the words convincing and valid have much in common, convincing suggests a power to overcome doubt, opposition, or reluctance to accept.

a convincing argument for welfare reform

In what contexts can sound take the place of valid?

While the synonyms sound and valid are close in meaning, sound implies a basis of flawless reasoning or of solid grounds.

a sound proposal for reviving the economy

Where would telling be a reasonable alternative to valid?

The words telling and valid are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, telling stresses an immediate and crucial effect striking at the heart of a matter.

a telling example of bureaucratic waste

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 valid Not only did the proposal show that such a mission is valid, parts of it, such as the orbital tour, could be used by other missions. Nola Taylor Tillman, Space.com, 12 Aug. 2025 Does the online platform keep a master list of every valid credit card number to compare your entry against? Jack Murtagh, Scientific American, 12 Aug. 2025 Others think the city could do more, not only to accommodate the heavy presence of golf carts, but to ensure children without a valid driver’s license aren’t operating the vehicles. Kairi Lowery, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Aug. 2025 Bring-a-friend tickets are valid through the end of the 2025 season at the park where the pass was purchased. Chad Murphy, The Enquirer, 2 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for valid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for valid
Adjective
  • Just as a logical gate in a regular computer changes bits from 0 to 1 to allow computation, quantum gates manipulate qubits.
    Ananya Palivela, Scientific American, 30 Aug. 2025
  • As well as being founder members of the Federation, their pointed ears and logical worldview have become synonymous with the franchise.
    Richard Edwards, Space.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • However, taxpayers who can’t get through on the phone in a reasonable time may get frustrated and hang up without a resolution.
    Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
  • By any reasonable standard, the Republican Party, both in Connecticut and nationally, has morphed into a right-wing extremist party – there are few moderates left to be found – as Republicans actively work to concentrate political and economic power in the hands of America’s billionaire elite.
    Martin M. Looney, Hartford Courant, 20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Under the current system, in which benefits are based on a worker’s contributions, the only coherent way to raise the revenue needed to close the remaining gap would be by increasing the payroll tax.
    Ben Ritz, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
  • The world no longer presents itself in coherent phrases.
    Alaa Alqaisi August 13, Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Similarly, product aesthetics create powerful first impressions that influence purchasing decisions through emotional connection rather than rational analysis.
    Roy Ward, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
  • To be clear: This is not how the United States—or any rational government, really—should be deciding on strategy.
    Philip Elliott, Time, 18 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The New York Yankees have not been playing good baseball recently, and manager Aaron Boone and his staff have caught plenty of criticism.
    Aaliyan Mohammed, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Aug. 2025
  • Two of the children are in good condition and one child is in serious condition.
    Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Lots of presumably sensible and appropriate reasons to look at user prompts are readily justifiable.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
  • Still, nothing had been done about the actual problem, making frustration among the majority of voters that wanted a sensible and humane human solution even greater.
    Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 19 Aug. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Valid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/valid. Accessed 4 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on valid

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!