Definition of invalidatenext

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 Courts invalidated opposition victories, declared the legislature in contempt and stripped it of power. Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2026 And these four friends—who all considered themselves serious scholars—wanted to find a way of invalidating his success. Literary Hub, 14 Apr. 2026 The judge found that Anthem Blue Cross of California’s lawsuit failed to establish a legal basis for invalidating HaloMD’s arbitration wins against the company. Tara Bannow, STAT, 13 Apr. 2026 The dispute moved to federal court, where the club asked a judge to preserve the status quo and invalidate the association’s trademarks as fraudulently obtained. Jj Velasquez, San Antonio Express-News, 12 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for invalidate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for invalidate
Verb
  • In April 2025, a motley crew gathered in New York City for a conference at Columbia University on abolishing the infinite.
    Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 29 Apr. 2026
  • Connecticut did not abolish enslaving people until 1848.
    Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 27 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Heaton noted that a similar fee was in place from 2011 to 2017 but was ultimately repealed after rural homeowners argued they were being unfairly targeted.
    Brady Halbleib, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
  • That showed again how poorly the Legislature served the voters by repealing Florida’s runoff primary 21 years ago.
    Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • They were also evacuated soon afterward, and the event canceled, to be rescheduled.
    Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 26 Apr. 2026
  • The annual dinner was later canceled and will be rescheduled.
    Zach LaChance, The Washington Examiner, 26 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • About $589 million in revenue generated from the tax has not been used, which in part is due to a lack of flexibility in how the money can be used, as well as due to legal concerns amid a threat to overturn the initiative.
    City News Service, Daily News, 25 Apr. 2026
  • Family members said it’s been a long road of frustration, agony and sadness watching Hitchcock’s death sentences get overturned three times amid the nearly a dozen appeals his attorneys have filed over the decades.
    Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Of course, Montana’s selection that year more or less nullified any criticism.
    Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 23 Apr. 2026
  • In the film, the sisters nullify the hex by holding an exorcism on the spirit of Gillian’s abusive boyfriend, whom the sisters previously killed.
    Katie Simons, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Players and coaches have become maddeningly mealy-mouthed, striving to avoid upsetting agents, sponsors, owners, fans, thin-skinned politicians, and whoever else might object.
    Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 26 Apr. 2026
  • Councilmember Ysabel Jurado, who sits on the Housing and Homelessness Committee, said Friday the recommendations are intended to better align the city’s homelessness response with local needs while avoiding service disruptions and improving long-term coordination.
    Teresa Liu, Daily News, 25 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Invalidate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/invalidate. Accessed 2 May. 2026.

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