negate

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as in to discredit
to think not to be true or real you simply can't negate your feelings for someone, even if they don't feel the same way about you

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb negate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of negate are abrogate, annul, invalidate, and nullify. While all these words mean "to deprive of effective or continued existence," negate implies the destruction or canceling out of each of two things by the other.

the arguments negate each other

How do abrogate and annul relate to one another, in the sense of negate?

Abrogate is like annul but more definitely implies a legal or official act.

a law to abrogate trading privileges

When is it sensible to use annul instead of negate?

The words annul and negate can be used in similar contexts, but annul suggests making ineffective or nonexistent often by legal or official action.

the treaty annuls all previous agreements

When could invalidate be used to replace negate?

The synonyms invalidate and negate are sometimes interchangeable, but invalidate implies making something powerless or unacceptable by declaration of its logical or moral or legal unsoundness.

the court invalidated the statute

When might nullify be a better fit than negate?

In some situations, the words nullify and negate are roughly equivalent. However, nullify implies counteracting completely the force, effectiveness, or value of something.

a penalty nullified the touchdown

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of negate The Trump administration has also learned that the high cost of legal fees associated with Musk's actions — in addition to the dip in revenue as a result of DOGE's cuts — largely negates those savings. Hannah Sacks, People.com, 5 June 2025 Florida caught a break 51 seconds into the second period when an apparent goal by Aho was negated (kismet?) by offside after a Panthers timeout and a smart coach’s challenge by Maurice. Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 23 May 2025 The result was a livelier, more balanced PSG attack and one that negated Botafogo’s counterattacking. Jack Lang, New York Times, 20 June 2025 The nationalization of the Suez Canal in 1956 by Egypt and the ensuing conflict led to Israel and Iran cooperating on the Eilat-Ashkelon pipeline which would negate the need for using the canal for oil transport from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean. Saleem H. Ali, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for negate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for negate
Verb
  • So with his conviction and prison stay, Larson was denied access.
    Savannah Leigh Richardson, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025
  • The Enquirer was denied these records on the grounds that complaints of educator misconduct that have resulted in an investigation are not deemed public until the board has taken final action on the case.
    Annie Goldman, The Enquirer, 10 July 2025
Verb
  • While Minnesota abolished the death penalty over a century ago, the federal murder charges carry a maximum penalty of capital punishment.
    Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 9 July 2025
  • Minnesota abolished its state death penalty in 1911.
    Steve Karnowski, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2025
Verb
  • That terrifying consequence alone is sufficient to discredit the executive order.
    Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 30 June 2025
  • And for that, I was met with silence, deflection, and efforts to discredit me.
    Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • The story included statements from Bondi, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche and FBI Director Kash Patel refuting the premise, but not Bongino.
    Eric Tucker, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2025
  • The memo also concluded that Epstein died by suicide, refuting other claims that there was foul play behind his 2019 death in prison.
    Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 10 July 2025
Verb
  • While the Trump administration has passed temporary waivers on those sanctions, known as the Caesar Act, they can only be permanently repealed by law.
    Matthew Lee, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2025
  • But the bill that passed Congress on Thursday would repeal the part of the 2022 law that established the green bank and rescind money that hadn’t already been obligated to its recipients.
    Michael Phillis, Chicago Tribune, 4 July 2025
Verb
  • New York Senator Julia Salazar, who was among the electeds observing hearings Thursday called for New Yorkers to reject what is happening inside lower Manhattan immigration courts.
    Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 5 July 2025
  • Last summer, West Ham had a verbal offer of £15m rejected by Al Ittihad for midfielder N’Golo Kante, then 33.
    Mark Carey, New York Times, 4 July 2025
Verb
  • Twenty-four flights have been canceled at DIA as of 4:30 p.m. A ground delay has been issued at DIA from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
    Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 8 July 2025
  • On June 18, the Princess of Wales canceled her appearance at Royal Ascot at the last minute.
    Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 7 July 2025
Verb
  • For efficient and safe removal, residents should avoid stacking debris near trees, utility poles, mailboxes, fire hydrants, or meters.
    Robbie Farias, Austin American Statesman, 12 July 2025
  • Together, the groups have created a high-tech stage in the upper stands, to avoid potentially damaging the pitch at halftime of such an important game, featuring 40,000 pounds of gear, scenery and structural trusses.
    Melanie Anzidei, New York Times, 12 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Negate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/negate. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.

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