invalidate

verb

in·​val·​i·​date (ˌ)in-ˈva-lə-ˌdāt 

invalidated; invalidating; invalidates

transitive verb

: to make invalid

especially : to weaken or destroy the cogency of

invalidation

(ˌ)in-ˌva-lə-ˈdā-shən 

noun

invalidator

in-ˈva-lə-ˌdā-tər 

noun

Synonyms

• abolish
• repeal
• cancel
• overturn
• nullify
• avoid

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

In 2021, California courts invalidated Proposition B on procedural grounds — because the city had not met and conferred with labor unions before placing it on the ballot. —John J Roach Iii, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Aug. 2025

The repeal—if it is finalized and also, given the inevitable lawsuits, upheld by the courts—would invalidate several sets of Biden-era regulations aimed at reducing emissions from vehicles and power plants. —Elizabeth Kolbert, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025

The first guidance essentially invalidated the collective business model and allowed for any deal from a collective to be denied. —Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 31 July 2025

Minor clerical errors can delay or invalidate payment. —Parvez Siddiqui, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1649, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for invalidate

• abbreviate
• accelerate
• accommodate
• accumulate
• acuminate
• adjudicate
• adulterate
• affiliate
• agglomerate
• agglutinate
• alleviate
• amalgamate

Kids Definition

invalidate

verb

in·​val·​i·​date (ˈ)in-ˈval-ə-ˌdāt 

: to weaken or destroy the effect of

evidence invalidating their claim

invalidation

(ˌ)in-ˌval-ə-ˈdā-shən 

noun

Legal Definition

invalidate

transitive verb

in·​val·​i·​date in-ˈva-lə-ˌdāt 

: to make or declare invalid

invalidation

in-ˌva-lə-ˈdā-shən 

noun