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
  • The federal estate tax was effectively repealed for those who died in 2010 as a result of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001, although executors could elect to apply the estate tax rules to take advantage of the step-up in basis which would have otherwise been lost.
    Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026
  • Among those is a provision repealing a state law that prohibits mid-decade redistricting.
    David A. Lieb, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2026
Verb
  • Lawyers and former judges warn of chaos and eroding due process, with hearings canceled, courthouse arrests rising and asylum seekers traveling hours for minutes-long appearances that can decide their futures.
    Olga R. Rodriguez, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2026
  • The trip was canceled and passengers were bused back to Alamosa.
    Logan Smith, CBS News, 24 May 2026
Verb
  • But the convictions were recently overturned, leading to the legal scion’s return to court.
    Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 23 May 2026
  • The White House is suing to overturn the ban.
    Semafor Events, semafor.com, 22 May 2026
Verb
  • The appeals court on Thursday nullified Ozel's election as CHP chairperson, suspending him and members of the party’s executive board.
    ABC News, ABC News, 24 May 2026
  • The appeals court ruling Thursday nullified Ozel’s election as CHP chairperson, suspending him and members of the party’s executive board.
    Cinar Kiper, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2026
Verb
  • The Orange County District Attorney’s Office has opened an investigation into the owner of a malfunctioning chemical storage tank in Garden Grove that has forced the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents as fire crews race to avoid an explosion.
    Sean Emery, Oc Register, 24 May 2026
  • The Metropolitan Police Department said on its X Account that the Secret Service was working the scene and cautioned people to avoid the area.
    Darlene Superville, Fortune, 24 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Invalidate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/invalidate. Accessed 25 May. 2026.

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