Synonym Chooser

How does the verb invalidate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of invalidate are abrogate, annul, negate, and nullify. While all these words mean "to deprive of effective or continued existence," invalidate implies making something powerless or unacceptable by declaration of its logical or moral or legal unsoundness.

the court invalidated the statute

How are the words abrogate and annul related as synonyms of invalidate?

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

a law to abrogate trading privileges

When is annul a more appropriate choice than invalidate?

The meanings of annul and invalidate largely overlap; however, annul suggests making ineffective or nonexistent often by legal or official action.

the treaty annuls all previous agreements

When could negate be used to replace invalidate?

Although the words negate and invalidate have much in common, negate implies the destruction or canceling out of each of two things by the other.

the arguments negate each other

When can nullify be used instead of invalidate?

While the synonyms nullify and invalidate are close in meaning, 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 invalidate Meanwhile, the race director’s event notes for each race remind the competitors that the stewards will invalidate a lap during qualifying and the race when a driver fails to stay within track limits. Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025 Murray’s detonation of all of the Clippers invalidates keeping Dunn on the floor solely because the defense is working. Law Murray, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025 In 2021, justice ruled in their favor, invalidating the foreclosure and returning the house to the Georges. Ames Alexander, Charlotte Observer, 27 Apr. 2025 The lawsuit urges the US Court of International Trade to intervene and invalidate Trump’s executive orders instituting the tariffs while barring US Customs agents from enforcing them. Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 23 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for invalidate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for invalidate
Verb
  • More news to know now The acting FEMA administrator was replaced after contradicting Trump on abolishing the agency.
    Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 10 May 2025
  • The Swiss government said Switzerland abolished all industrial tariffs on Jan. 1 last year, meaning that 99% of all goods from the United States can be imported into Switzerland duty-free.
    Paul Wiseman, Chicago Tribune, 10 May 2025
Verb
  • Sun Sentinel Bill to end limits on who can sue for medical malpractice stalls in Florida Senate The Florida Senate appeared on the verge Wednesday of passing a bill to repeal an exception in the state’s medical-malpractice laws.
    South Florida Sun Sentinel, Sun Sentinel, 1 May 2025
  • House Republicans passed a measure Thursday that would repeal the government’s decision to place California’s longfin smelt, a finger-sized fish, on the endangered species list.
    Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2025
Verb
  • Critical research trials have already been canceled midstream.
    Karen Weintraub, USA Today, 9 May 2025
  • The Trump administration is facing another legal challenge over its immigration policies, after it was reported Temporary Protected Status (TPS) would be cancelled for thousands of Afghans and Cameroonians.
    Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
Verb
  • But in April, the state’s Court of Appeals, which has a Republican majority, issued a three-sentence decision overturning the lower court’s ruling without hearing oral arguments.
    Doug Bock Clark, ProPublica, 16 May 2025
  • Migrant rights advocates and legal practitioners have objected to this reasoning, citing serious deficiencies in the immigration ministry and the high rate of rejections overturned on appeal.
    Frey Lindsay, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
Verb
  • To seal the deal, Minnesota will try to get out in transition and nullify the Warriors’ zone defense.
    Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 14 May 2025
  • The deal, which would effectively nullify his murder charge, includes 15 years in state prison and five years of post-release supervision for the manslaughter charge – though the judge will issue his final sentence August 4.
    Mark Morales, CNN Money, 5 May 2025
Verb
  • The key question is whether the data behind digital twins is sound enough to avoid the pitfalls that result in data decay over time (i.e., entropy).
    Mika Newton, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
  • Make sure to maintain an upright torso and avoid leaning forward or backward.
    Laura Schober, Health, 13 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Invalidate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/invalidate. Accessed 21 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on invalidate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!