Synonyms of negate

negate

verb

ni-ˈgāt 

1

as in to deny

to declare not to be true

this evidence negates his claim that he was not at the scene of the crime

Synonyms & Similar Words

• deny
• refute
• reject
• contradict
• disallow
• disavow
• disclaim
• negative
• disown
• repudiate
• gainsay
• disaffirm
• disconfirm
• disprove
• traverse
• rebut
• challenge
• disagree (with)
• dispute
• confute

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• allow
• acknowledge
• confirm
• accept
• own
• admit
• concede
• adopt
• maintain
• embrace
• assert
• affirm
• claim
• submit
• declare
• avow
• announce
• verify
• validate
• profess
• substantiate
• espouse
• aver
• corroborate
• authenticate

2

as in to abolish

to put an end to by formal action

Prohibition was established by the 18th amendment to the U.S. Constitution, only to be negated by the 21st amendment 13 years later

Synonyms & Similar Words

• abolish
• repeal
• cancel
• avoid
• nullify
• overturn
• invalidate
• void
• abrogate
• quash
• vacate
• rescind
• dismiss
• annul
• dissolve
• revoke
• set aside
• roll back
• withdraw
• strike down
• suspend
• null
• abate
• reverse
• eliminate
• reject
• retract
• override
• remove
• overrule
• veto
• do away with
• disannul
• forbid
• prohibit
• recall
• erase
• countermand
• ban
• abort
• eradicate
• disallow
• enjoin
• call off
• outlaw
• annihilate
• call
• drop
• liquidate
• write off
• throw out
• break down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• establish
• enact
• found
• lay down
• legislate
• legitimate
• validate
• pass
• institute
• allow
• permit
• approve
• authorize
• ratify
• legitimize
• warrant
• endorse
• order
• prescribe
• clear
• legalize
• formalize
• command
• sanction
• mandate
• decree

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

• deny
• discredit
• disbelieve
• doubt
• refute
• reject
• disprove
• suspect
• repudiate
• distrust
• deride
• debunk
• mistrust
• scoff (at)
• pooh-pooh

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• believe
• accept
• swallow
• trust
• credit

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

Recent Examples of negate

On the next play, Jefferson threw the ball into the chest of a receiver at the one-yard line, only for another holding penalty to negate the play. — Caleb Otte, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Perpetuals never expire, negating the need to roll contracts and depriving exchanges of a lucrative revenue stream. — Oliver Renick, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2026

The Royals had a few chances, but a pair of double plays negated any real scoring threat. — Kansas City Star, 19 Aug. 2026

Yes, there was a key penalty that negated what would have been a first down. — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 16 Aug. 2026