negate

Definition of negatenext
1
2
3
as in to discredit
to think not to be true or real you simply can't negate your feelings for someone, even if they don't feel the same way about you

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb negate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of negate are abrogate, annul, invalidate, and nullify. While all these words mean "to deprive of effective or continued existence," negate implies the destruction or canceling out of each of two things by the other.

the arguments negate each other

How do abrogate and annul relate to one another, in the sense of negate?

Abrogate is like annul but more definitely implies a legal or official act.

a law to abrogate trading privileges

When is it sensible to use annul instead of negate?

The words annul and negate can be used in similar contexts, but annul suggests making ineffective or nonexistent often by legal or official action.

the treaty annuls all previous agreements

When could invalidate be used to replace negate?

The synonyms invalidate and negate are sometimes interchangeable, but invalidate implies making something powerless or unacceptable by declaration of its logical or moral or legal unsoundness.

the court invalidated the statute

When might nullify be a better fit than negate?

In some situations, the words nullify and negate are roughly equivalent. However, 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 negate This does not negate the existence of hundreds of thousands of angry and disillusioned Mashhadis, but anger does not automatically translate into street mobilization. Davood Moradian, The Atlantic, 26 Jan. 2026 That doesn’t negate your right to enjoy yourself, too. R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 21 Jan. 2026 And McMillan gave them some help with his clipboard and dry-erase marker, too, drawing up a handful of plays that completely negated the Texas defense and allowed the Aggies open looks at the rim. David Eckert, Houston Chronicle, 18 Jan. 2026 But Spurs’ overall organisation has negated those concerns admirably. Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for negate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for negate
Verb
  • The defendants denied the allegations, and the parties jointly agreed to dismiss the case.
    Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
  • Richins has pleaded not guilty and denies killing her husband.
    Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 7 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Some of the loudest calls to abolish ICE have come from Gen Z and millennial candidates, many of whom have sought to frame their bids around a larger rejection of Democratic Party norms.
    Elena Moore, NPR, 4 Feb. 2026
  • Under his proposal, the position of prime minister would be abolished and the duties of the role absorbed into the office of the president.
    Kaya Genç, The Dial, 3 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Supporters of Pahlavi were particularly vocal in Mashhad this month, as attested by the prevalence of pro-monarchy graffiti on city walls, and the regime’s propaganda devoted particular attention to discrediting the former crown prince.
    Davood Moradian, The Atlantic, 26 Jan. 2026
  • Mayers said one lawful action should not be used to discredit another lawful action.
    Steve Karnowski, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Councilmember Ted Bui refuted those concerns and maintained his vocal support of adopting a charter.
    Victoria Le, Oc Register, 24 Jan. 2026
  • The lawmakers have refuted those claims, arguing that the probe is an act of political intimidation.
    Elena Moore, NPR, 23 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • In a statement, Executive Director Tyler Stiles said the board itself has taken a neutral stance on previous legislative attempts to repeal the laws.
    Dale Denwalt, Oklahoman, 6 Feb. 2026
  • Less than a month later, according to the New York Times, the administration stopped defending the rule in court, then repealed it altogether.
    Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • That attempt was rejected, and in October 2023, LIV’s application was formally denied.
    Brody Miller, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
  • Jimenez, in part, criticized Gilbert’s proposal to put a commissioner on the panel that recommends an inspector general candidate for the commission to either accept or reject.
    Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 3 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • To avoid this, cancel and sign in to YouTube on your computer.
    Nicole Acevedo, NBC news, 8 Feb. 2026
  • China retaliated by canceling flights, restricting imports of Japanese seafood and ramping up military patrols, among other measures.
    Yumi Asada, CNN Money, 8 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • In Texas, wind, solar and storage provided about 25% of power for the grid's 27 million customers -- a major increase over 2021 and a key reason blackouts were largely avoided, said John Hensley, a senior vice president at the American Clean Power Association, an industry group.
    MATTHEW DALY, Arkansas Online, 8 Feb. 2026
  • Healey avoided answering the question, instead stating that Massachusetts officials tipped off the feds to the $7 million SNAP fraud scheme uncovered by Foley’s office in December.
    Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 7 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Negate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/negate. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on negate

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