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 of invalidate

• 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

The four siblings had argued that the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act of 2021 invalidated the agreement, but the judge said the EFAA didn’t apply retroactively. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 13 Aug. 2026

Phillippe told kids and teens not to invalidate their feelings, to take deep breaths and to ground themselves using their five senses. — Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 11 Aug. 2026

Beijing claims virtually the entire waterway and rejected a 2016 ruling in an arbitration case initiated by the Philippines that invalidated its expansive claims. — Jim Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026

Worse, the researchers aren’t sure whether changing Chrome’s password manager PIN or deleting all of Chrome’s password manager data will actually invalidate any access a hacker may already have obtained. — Alan Henry, PC Magazine, 7 Aug. 2026

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