invalidate

verb

in·​val·​i·​date (ˌ)in-ˈva-lə-ˌdāt How to pronounce invalidate (audio)
invalidated; invalidating; invalidates

transitive verb

: to make invalid
especially : to weaken or destroy the cogency of
invalidation noun
invalidator noun
Choose the Right Synonym for invalidate

nullify, negate, annul, abrogate, invalidate mean to deprive of effective or continued existence.

nullify implies counteracting completely the force, effectiveness, or value of something.

a penalty nullified the touchdown

negate implies the destruction or canceling out of each of two things by the other.

the arguments negate each other

annul suggests making ineffective or nonexistent often by legal or official action.

the treaty annuls all previous agreements

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

a law to abrogate trading privileges

invalidate implies making something powerless or unacceptable by declaration of its logical or moral or legal unsoundness.

the court invalidated the statute

Examples of invalidate in a Sentence

actions that will invalidate the contract The study invalidates earlier theories. factors that may invalidate the test results
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Trump issued a version of it at the end of his first term but it was invalidated by the Biden administration almost immediately. Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 9 Oct. 2025 By using the Congressional Review Act to overturn these local resource plans, Congress is setting a precedent that could potentially invalidate all resource management plans passed since 1996, when the Congressional Review Act became law. Christine Peterson, Outdoor Life, 9 Oct. 2025 The unions have asked the court to declare that both OMB and OPM have exceeded their statutory authority and acted in an arbitrary and capricious manner, and to invalidate any actions that may come from the memos and guidance issued. Franco Ordoñez, NPR, 2 Oct. 2025 Toxic positivity combines a belief that being optimistic will change an outcome with attempts to deny, minimize, and invalidate what teams are experiencing. Mita Mallick, Big Think, 30 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for invalidate

Word History

First Known Use

1649, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of invalidate was in 1649

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Invalidate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/invalidate. Accessed 11 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

invalidate

verb
in·​val·​i·​date (ˈ)in-ˈval-ə-ˌdāt How to pronounce invalidate (audio)
: to weaken or destroy the effect of
evidence invalidating their claim
invalidation noun

Legal Definition

invalidate

transitive verb
in·​val·​i·​date in-ˈva-lə-ˌdāt How to pronounce invalidate (audio)
: to make or declare invalid
invalidation noun

More from Merriam-Webster on invalidate

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