negate

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as in to discredit
to think not to be true or real you simply can't negate your feelings for someone, even if they don't feel the same way about you

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb negate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of negate are abrogate, annul, invalidate, and nullify. While all these words mean "to deprive of effective or continued existence," negate implies the destruction or canceling out of each of two things by the other.

the arguments negate each other

How do abrogate and annul relate to one another, in the sense of negate?

Abrogate is like annul but more definitely implies a legal or official act.

a law to abrogate trading privileges

When is it sensible to use annul instead of negate?

The words annul and negate can be used in similar contexts, but annul suggests making ineffective or nonexistent often by legal or official action.

the treaty annuls all previous agreements

When could invalidate be used to replace negate?

The synonyms invalidate and negate are sometimes interchangeable, but invalidate implies making something powerless or unacceptable by declaration of its logical or moral or legal unsoundness.

the court invalidated the statute

When might nullify be a better fit than negate?

In some situations, the words nullify and negate are roughly equivalent. However, 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 negate The best programs use the portal to enhance weak points on a roster like TCU did by bringing in two experienced receivers to help negate the loss of Savion Williams and Jack Bech. Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 May 2025 Besides, if the bill goes down, the taxpayers that moderates are trying to protect with a higher SALT deduction will see their marginal rates increase and a return of the old AMT (which would often negate the SALT deduction). The Editors, National Review, 12 May 2025 Marchand hustled down the ice to negate a potential icing call. Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2025 The Ukrainian approach negated recoil by putting two shotgun cartridges back-to-back and firing them together, for a zero net recoil. David Hambling, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for negate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for negate
Verb
  • The university in January 2024 denied Tucker’s appeal of the findings.
    Kenny Jacoby, USA Today, 4 June 2025
  • According to officers, the man acknowledged engaging in lewd behavior and taking photos of children but denied touching anyone.
    Tanasia Kenney, Miami Herald, 4 June 2025
Verb
  • The initiative has its critics, who fear that abolishing property taxes would leave local governments without sufficient funds to support crucial public services.
    Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 June 2025
  • The latter is known for his misogynistic statements, and has promised to follow through on Mr. Yoon’s commitment to abolish the Ministry of Gender Equality & Family.
    Yejin Gim, Christian Science Monitor, 2 June 2025
Verb
  • The former Minnesota Democratic congressman was widely shunned for running against Biden and discredited for his accusations that Biden wasn’t capable of being president again.
    Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 22 May 2025
  • Injuries contributed to the Pacers’ series wins over the Milwaukee Bucks and the Cleveland Cavaliers, but claiming the Pacers only advanced to the Eastern Conference finals for a second straight postseason because of lucky breaks discredits their greatness.
    Jovan Buha, New York Times, 22 May 2025
Verb
  • Security camera footage, however, refuted his story, according to the court documents.
    Mike Stunson, Kansas City Star, 4 June 2025
  • Yet a source close to the contract negotiations, who requested anonymity to discuss a sensitive topic, refuted that claim.
    Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2025
Verb
  • An effort to repeal the law completely did not advance the spring legislative session, while the vote for the delay came on the session’s last day.
    Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2025
  • The group, known as the L.A. Alliance for Tourism, Jobs and Progress, is hoping to persuade voters to repeal the ordinance.
    David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2025
Verb
  • Brentford have rejected an offer of around €9million (£7.6m; $10.2m) from Bayer Leverkusen for their first-choice goalkeeper Mark Flekken but negotiations are ongoing over a potential deal.
    Jay Harris, New York Times, 30 May 2025
  • Paramount is currently engaged in mediation talks with Trump’s attorneys, who recently rejected a $15 million settlement offer and threatened further litigation, The Wall Street Journal reported earlier this week.
    Dominick Mastrangelo, The Hill, 30 May 2025
Verb
  • Musk has faced fierce backlash over his drastic cuts to the government's budget, including canceling thousands of federal jobs, and the dismantling of entire agencies.
    Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 May 2025
  • The news came just days after the Trump administration canceled funding for Moderna to develop a vaccine against potential pandemic flu viruses, including the H5N1 bird flu, despite promising early study results.
    CBS News, CBS News, 31 May 2025
Verb
  • The team’s careful planning and early outreach helped avoid problems in the future, like having to replace important music in post-production – something that simply wasn’t an option here.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
  • Yet Trump held his fire, in part because of an effort to avoid an escalation that would trigger Musk to declare all-out war against Republican lawmakers weighing the future of a bill essential to his entire agenda, according to two White House officials.
    Phil Mattingly, CNN Money, 6 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Negate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/negate. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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