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 four siblings had argued that the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act of 2021 invalidated the agreement, but the judge said the EFAA didn’t apply retroactively. Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 13 Aug. 2026 The lawsuit seeks to invalidate a new state law requiring more frequent detention center inspections, and the first hearing in the case was last month. Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 13 Aug. 2026 Phillippe told kids and teens not to invalidate their feelings, to take deep breaths and to ground themselves using their five senses. Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 11 Aug. 2026 Worse, the researchers aren’t sure whether changing Chrome’s password manager PIN or deleting all of Chrome’s password manager data will actually invalidate any access a hacker may already have obtained. Alan Henry, PC Magazine, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for invalidate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for invalidate
Verb
  • While his party debates abolishing prisons and owning grocery stores, Democratic Mayor Daniel Lurie is cleaning up his city.
    Kate Andrews, Washington Post, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Alabama has since abolished judicial override, the practice that allowed judges to order the state to kill a person even though a jury of one’s peers requested otherwise.
    Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • That includes prohibiting the construction of AI data centers in rural Texas neighborhoods, reducing the impacts of data centers on local communities, and repealing sales tax exemptions and other incentives.
    Jack Fink, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026
  • According to correspondence reviewed by ProPublica, the Joint Staff disagreed with the Army acting secretary, who said in a February 2025 memo that the program was redundant and recommended Congress repeal the law that set it in motion.
    Megan Rose, ProPublica, 25 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • If the league and union can’t agree on a new contract by some time in March, some regular-season games likely would be canceled.
    Evan Drellich, New York Times, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Another, who said a relative's upcoming interview had been canceled, described feeling confused and upset by what appeared to be an embassy-wide hold.
    María Luisa Paúl, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • While the ban lasted only three weeks, both the number of weekly visits to the needle exchange and the number of naloxone kits distributed were lower than expected for at least the 20 weeks after the ban was overturned.
    Paul Christine, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2026
  • His acquittal was overturned and the case was merged with that relating to the coup attempt.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Hayden Rucci nullified by a Jordan James’ penalty (cut block).
    Cam Inman, Mercury News, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Blakeman is one of two county executives in New York who has so far refused to nullify a cooperation agreement with ICE.
    Marcia Kramer, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The second, Kiyosaki’s actual father, served as an example of what to avoid.
    Christopher Cox, Vanity Fair, 26 Aug. 2026
  • When Mica went to her sister Sierra’s home to avoid these situations, Miller allegedly threatened to show up at the house armed.
    CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 26 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Invalidate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/invalidate. Accessed 29 Aug. 2026.

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