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

If a company is unable to prove where that material comes from, all other claims risk being invalidated. —Sj Studio, Sourcing Journal, 27 Aug. 2025

Legal experts say the order is likely to face constitutional challenges, given the precedent set in Texas v. Johnson, which invalidated flag-burning bans in 48 states. —Amanda Castro hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Aug. 2025

This inconsistency raises serious questions about selective advocacy and contributes to a growing sense among Jewish professionals that their identities and concerns are being uniquely invalidated, dismissed, and marginalized. —Daniel Balva, Sun Sentinel, 21 Aug. 2025

Recall that in 2024, in response to a lawsuit from the EV maker’s shareholders, the Delaware courts invalidated the famous giga-grant approved in January of 2018. —Shawn Tully, Fortune, 6 Aug. 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