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 Trump administration is also facing a legal battle after the U.S. Court of International Trade invalidated much of the president’s tariffs on Wednesday. Sean Conlon,sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 2 June 2025 The company further claims that James and Denton were not directly involved in the 1986 agreement related to their earliest releases, thereby invalidating their claims to initial ownership. Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 20 May 2025 China claims virtually the entire South China Sea, a key global trade and security route despite a 2016 international arbitration ruling initiated by the Philippines that invalidated those expansive claims based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Arkansas Online, 30 May 2025 The decision would also invalidate a 10% tariff imposed on goods from nearly all countries. Max Zahn, ABC News, 29 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for invalidate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for invalidate
Verb
  • Lethal injection is the only method of execution after firing squads were abolished in 2011.
    Reuters, NBC news, 26 June 2025
  • Beginning in the 1950s, between 20 million and 25 million households gained ownership of plots of land through the government’s scheme to abolish the colonial-era zamindari system of tax-collecting landlords.
    Michael Albertus, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
Verb
  • Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill on Tuesday that promises to reopen Panhandle beaches to the public, repealing a 2018 state law that allowed beachfront property owners to close off miles of local shoreline to residents.
    Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025
  • The Legislature previously swatted two attempts earlier this year to repeal that law and ban trans girls from sports.
    Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • Senate lawmakers from both parties clashed with Russell Vought, director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, on Wednesday over the Trump administration's proposal to cancel billions in federal spending on foreign aid, public broadcasting and global health programs.
    Sonam Sheth Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025
  • After four seasons, HGTV has cancelled Married to Real Estate, the home renovation series hosted by Egypt Sherrod and her husband Mike Jackson.
    Nick Caruso, TVLine, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • The measure is designed to overturn a series of executive orders by Trump, including banning transgender troops in the U.S. military and blocking transgender students from playing on girls’ sports teams.
    Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 21 June 2025
  • Health care The first Trump administration unsuccessfully tried to end the Affordable Care Act, even asking the Supreme Court to overturn it in late 2020.
    Rachel Treisman, NPR, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • The communist country's National Assembly passed a new amendment that nullifies families from having a two-child limit, according to state media.
    Nick Butler, FOXNews.com, 5 June 2025
  • Once signed, the pardons would nullify the Chrisleys' convictions and eliminate the remaining prison time and financial penalties.
    Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 2025
Verb
  • Several groups have begun paying street vendors in California to temporarily stop working in public areas to avoid Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids.
    Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 June 2025
  • Traditionally, presidents such as George H.W. Bush and his son, George W. Bush, have followed the long-standing practice of avoiding criticism in a public way.
    Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 18 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Invalidate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/invalidate. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on invalidate

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