invalidate

1 of 2

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

invalidation

2 of 2

noun

in·​val·​i·​da·​tion (ˌ)inˌvaləˈdāshən 

ənˌv-

: the act or process of invalidating or the state of being invalidated

Synonyms of invalidate

Verb

• 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

Verb

actions that will invalidate the contract

The study invalidates earlier theories.

factors that may invalidate the test results

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

On June 8, a federal judge invalidated the White House's $100,000 fee policy in response to a lawsuit brought by 20 states. —Shanelle Kaul, CBS News, 14 June 2026

With regard to the current Section 301 probe and the potential of levying stickier double-digit duties than those invalidated by the Supreme Court earlier this year, the USTR is due to make a decision by mid-July’s deadline. —Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 2 June 2026

There were rumblings Saturday night of a push to invalidate the results altogether, though the state party ultimately upheld the endorsement while giving candidates a pass to move forward despite pledges. —Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 2 June 2026

The Supreme Court invalidated the country-by-country tariff rates Trump set by citing the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act. —Mae Anderson, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

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