Definition of invalidatenext

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 The next legal issue may be, if the Mountain West can’t meet its obligations to current members, does that invalidate the grant of rights and allow a school like UNLV to jump conferences before 2032? Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 May 2026 Republicans have opened up an advantage in a national redistricting battle among states after a pair of court rulings that weakened federal Voting Rights Act protections for minorities and invalidated a key Democratic redistricting effort. David A. Lieb, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2026 Jones said the Virginia Supreme Court is invalidating the will of millions of Virginians who cast their vote in the April 21 election. Amy Delaura, The Washington Examiner, 8 May 2026 Black voters in Louisiana had hoped the justices would keep on hold until after the November election their decision invalidating a congressional map that includes two majority-Black districts. Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 5 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for invalidate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for invalidate
Verb
  • The Republican Party was then in a state of relative emergency—the Civil War had been won and slavery had been abolished, but Black Americans in the South were still subject to terrorism and intimidation, while whites in the North had shown resistance to the idea of Black suffrage.
    Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 19 May 2026
  • After months of shutdown fights, bipartisan condemnation, and calls to abolish ICE entirely, the last thing the administration may want is another headline.
    Philip Wang, Time, 18 May 2026
Verb
  • Meanwhile, Sánchez promised to repeal those laws.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 May 2026
  • Some countries, such as Sweden, repealed them to become more financially competitive, while others, like France, found that the superwealthy were moving their assets to other countries.
    Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 15 May 2026
Verb
  • In November 2022, the show was canceled.
    Joyann Jeffrey, PEOPLE, 17 May 2026
  • An air show at Mountain Home Air Force Base in southwestern Idaho was canceled on Sunday, May 17, after two Navy jets collided midair and crashed during a demonstration, forcing four crew members to eject safely from the aircraft, authorities and base officials said.
    Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 17 May 2026
Verb
  • Turner wasted one of the Phillies’ two ABS challenges trying to overturn a strike-three call on a pitch firmly in the zone.
    Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 15 May 2026
  • The verdict came after New York’s highest court in 2024 overturned his rape conviction in a landmark ruling that some called a referendum of the shortcomings of the #MeToo movement.
    Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 15 May 2026
Verb
  • Rather than trying to disguise coverages, the Texans simply beat opponents with superior personnel, nullifying Rodgers’ ability to be one step ahead at the line of scrimmage.
    Mike DeFabo, New York Times, 15 May 2026
  • In a 4-3 ruling, justices nullified a new congressional map that could have given the Democrats four additional seats in the House of Representatives.
    Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 13 May 2026
Verb
  • The problem is, when your side lack intensity, aggression and cohesion, those traps are easy to spot and avoid.
    Carl Anka, New York Times, 17 May 2026
  • October 23 – November 21 The real conversation is probably the one everyone has been avoiding.
    Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 17 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Invalidate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/invalidate. Accessed 21 May. 2026.

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