negate

verb

ne·​gate ni-ˈgāt 

negated; negating

transitive verb

1

: to deny the existence or truth of

negated and denied her own honest reactions

—Sara H. Hay

2

: to cause to be ineffective or invalid

Alcohol can negate the effects of some medicines.

negate noun

negator

ni-ˈgā-tər 

noun

Synonyms

• contradict
• deny
• disaffirm
• disallow
• disavow
• disclaim
• disconfirm
• disown
• gainsay
• negative
• refute
• reject
• repudiate

Choose the Right Synonym for negate

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 negate in a Sentence

The fact that she lied about her work experience negated the contract.

a verb that is negated by “not”

Recent Examples on the Web

The industry association argued that the ingredient was effective and that low levels in the blood did not negate its effect. —Christina Jewett, New York Times, 18 Sep. 2023

The key play came after an overturned call that negated a 48-yard reception by A.J. Brown, but the Eagles went right back to Brown for a 23-yard pass play. —Ben Volin, BostonGlobe.com, 10 Sep. 2023

There were two holding penalties on right tackle Spencer Brown, one of which negated what would have been a 31-yard touchdown pass from Kim to tight end Maliq Carr. —Chris Solari, Detroit Free Press, 9 Sep. 2023

But that doesn't negate other positive aspects of including nuts in an overall healthy diet. —Lauren Manaker Ms, Rdn, Health, 7 Sep. 2023

The problem is the unfair pitfalls of modern parenting (brought on by societal and systemic pressures, not kids themselves) don’t negate the issues with screen time and digital media use. —Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 7 Sep. 2023

But officials did not negate the touchdown that eventually contributed to Memphis’ 31-29 win against Mississippi State on Sept. 18, 2021. —Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 6 Sep. 2023

The play was made possible because of a roughing the passer call that negated a 100-yard interception return for a touchdown by SDSU freshman safety Marcus Ratcliffe. —Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Aug. 2023

But a holding on Jeremiah Alexander negated the touchdown — the third time UA’s lost a score in two weeks — and brought the ball back to the UA 12-yard-line. --Buchner started the drive with a pass into a tight window for 13 yards to Isaiah Bond. —Nick Alvarez | [e-mail], al, 16 Sep. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin negātus, past participle of negāre "to say (with the negative of a conjoined clause), deny, withhold, say no," delocutive derivative of nec "no, not" — more at neglect entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1623, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

negate

verb

ne·​gate ni-ˈgāt 

negated; negating

1

: to deny the existence or truth of

2

: to cause to be ineffective or invalid

the discovery negates all previous theories