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 In a separate argument, Keller noted that by the time Senate Bill 4 was enacted, Louisville’s ban had already been in effect for months, and the bill did not contain any language invalidating Louisville’s ordinance. Monroe Trombly, Louisville Courier Journal, 18 Sep. 2025 Patel quipped, nodding to Biden’s use of an autopen to sign some documents — a White House practice conservatives have argued should invalidate many of the prior administration’s decisions. Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 16 Sep. 2025 Historically, and even to date, trans people have faced pushback from some cisgender people in the community who believe that the fight for trans rights will invalidate their own struggles. Quispe López, Them., 29 Aug. 2025 Because changing the breed would invalidate the certificate and require revaccination, shelters typically only update breed information when necessary. Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for invalidate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for invalidate
Verb
  • Last week, Reform pledged to abolish indefinite leave to remain (ILR), which gives migrants settled status in Britain.
    Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Among 16 to 24-year-olds, 67 percent wanted to abolish compared to 30 percent who would keep the crown.
    Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Democrats are also hoping to repeal cuts to health care programs that were put in place as part of the GOP spending and tax bill that passed over the summer.
    The NPR Network, NPR, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Nevertheless, Ashley and Locke did not want the HALT Act to be repealed.
    Jennifer Gonnerman, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • An upcoming Chris Brown concert, scheduled to take place in Memphis, Tennessee, has been cancelled two weeks ahead of showtime.
    John Beifuss, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Future Ruins, the inaugural film-music festival run by Oscar-winning duo Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, has been canceled.
    Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 4 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Knox was convicted and served four years of a 26-year sentence in an Italian prison before the verdict was overturned.
    Andrew McGowan, Variety, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Alito’s invocation of stare decisis is similarly peculiar, especially after authoring the opinion that overturned Roe.
    Samantha Riedel, Them., 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Failing to take your medication when you’re supposed to can nullify its effects and affect your health.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 16 Sep. 2025
  • This wouldn't surprise me all that much, especially in light of a report out of the Census Bureau yesterday showing inflation gains largely nullified wage gains last year.
    JJ Kinahan, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Refrain from entering water that may have electricity in it and avoid walking through floodwaters.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Engelbert said Friday that the league and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association continue to meet and negotiate with the hopes of avoiding a work stoppage.
    Kevin Dotson, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Invalidate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/invalidate. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on invalidate

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