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

• abate
• abolish
• abrogate
• annul
• avoid
• cancel
• disannul
• dissolve
• negate
• null
• nullify
• quash
• repeal
• rescind
• roll back
• strike down
• vacate
• void

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 lawsuit seeks to bar Whitmer and Benson from naming any other voter registration agencies moving forward and invalidate the naming of SBA and VA offices as voter registration agencies. —Arpan Lobo, Detroit Free Press, 15 July 2024

The high court also invalidated a federal ban on bump stocks and reversed a 40-year-old decision that gave federal agencies broad regulatory power, curtailing their authority. —Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 10 July 2024

Prosecutors agreed to the delay but said the argument for invalidating the verdict was without merit. —Perry Stein, Washington Post, 7 July 2024

In 1866, the Waring family received their plantation back, and the following year Symons did too, invalidating land titles held by at least 33 freedmen, including Maxwell. —Alexia Fernández Campbell, Essence, 4 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1649, in the meaning defined above

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