invalidate

verb

(ˌ)in-ˈva-lə-ˌdāt How to pronounce invalidate (audio)
Definition of invalidatenext
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 in a surprising decision in 2023, the high court declined an invitation to reshape Section 2 of the landmark voting law and invalidated Alabama's congressional map drawn by Republican lawmakers after the 2020 Census. —Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 22 Mar. 2025 Omitting such differences, however, can sometimes be decisive in invalidating the final evaluation, which can lead to systematic distortions in reasoning, influencing the resulting judgments and decisions. —Cristian Randieri, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025 He was sentenced to death, but that was commuted to life in prison after California’s Supreme Court invalidated all death sentences prior to 1972. —Emily Krauser, People.com, 8 Mar. 2025 Justifying one’s behavior to invalidate the feedback. —Sandro Da Silva, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for invalidate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for invalidate
  1. abolish
  2. repeal
  3. cancel
  4. overturn
  5. nullify
  6. avoid
Verb
  • Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves (R.) has signed legislation to abolish the state’s income tax.
    — Douglas Carswell, National Review, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Democrats who previously demanded that the Senate abolish the filibuster are now furious that the party didn’t use it.
    — Editorial, Boston Herald, 31 Mar. 2025
Definition of abolish
Verb
  • The program also receives about 5% of its revenue from interest generated by its trust funds and about 4% of its revenue from the tax that Trump wants to repeal.
    — Dennis W. Jansen, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2025
  • President Donald Trump this week issued a sweeping directive ordering federal agencies to repeal regulations that conflict with recent Supreme Court rulings.
    — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 13 Apr. 2025
Definition of repeal
Verb
  • For under $100, these are an incredible bargain for such high-quality noise cancelling earbuds.
    — Cierra Cowan, PC Magazine, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Several offshore wind farms planned along the Northeast were canceled in recent years as costs rose due to inflation and supply chain problems during the pandemic.
    — Erin Baker, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of cancel
Verb
  • He was released after a court overturned his 40-year sentence for the kidnapping and killing of Camarena.
    — Greg Norman, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The decision overturned a lower court ruling that had required their reinstatement, supporting Trump's efforts to downsize the federal workforce.
    — Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of overturn
Verb
  • But the president soon changed his tune when South Carolina claimed authority to nullify federal tariffs.
    — Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 3 Mar. 2025
  • Often, leaders provide answers and high-level direction, which can leave team members feeling diminished and nullify their ideas.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
Definition of nullify
Verb
  • Facing the Marlins for the second time in a week, the Mets (7-3) avoided facing ace Sandy Alcantara, with the 2022 Cy Young Award winner having been added to the paternity list earlier in the day.
    — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 8 Apr. 2025
  • In another legend, the monk was said to have cut off his eyelids to avoid falling asleep during his meditation, one explanation for the doll’s wide-eyed stare.
    — Rebecca Cairns, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of avoid

Browse Nearby Words

invalid
invalidate
invalidated
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Cite this Entry

“Invalidate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/invalidate. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of invalidate for Spanish Speakers

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