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Synonym Chooser

How is the word valid different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of valid are cogent, convincing, sound, and telling. While all these words mean "having such force as to compel serious attention and usually acceptance," valid implies being supported by objective truth or generally accepted authority.

a valid reason for being absent
a valid marriage

When might cogent be a better fit than valid?

While in some cases nearly identical to valid, cogent may stress either weight of sound argument and evidence or lucidity of presentation.

the prosecutor's cogent summation won over the jury

When is convincing a more appropriate choice than valid?

Although the words convincing and valid have much in common, convincing suggests a power to overcome doubt, opposition, or reluctance to accept.

a convincing argument for welfare reform

In what contexts can sound take the place of valid?

While the synonyms sound and valid are close in meaning, sound implies a basis of flawless reasoning or of solid grounds.

a sound proposal for reviving the economy

Where would telling be a reasonable alternative to valid?

The words telling and valid are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, telling stresses an immediate and crucial effect striking at the heart of a matter.

a telling example of bureaucratic waste

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 valid Speaker Alondra Alvarez rejected claims that the city could not bar federal agents from its premises, citing Fourth Amendment protections but noting that a valid warrant would still grant them entry. Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Sep. 2025 Insisting that the laws of physics remain valid is enough to do away with the idea of a truly empty Universe. Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 25 Sep. 2025 Failure to show a valid ticket can result in fines ranging from $50 to $500. Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 25 Sep. 2025 Offer valid September 16 through September 30, 2025. Sophie Caldwell, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for valid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for valid
Adjective
  • Fantasyland would be the most logical place for Harry to get a job as a ride operator.
    Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 26 Sep. 2025
  • First, starting off with the shooting guard spot, Collin Sexton seems like the most logical candidate to slide into that role at the season’s outset.
    Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Many teams accept strikeouts as a reasonable price to pay to get more home runs.
    Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 22 Sep. 2025
  • These savings can be bundled and used strategically to make expensive car seats much more reasonable purchases.
    Charles Singh, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Two events might have destabilised a less coherent unit.
    Michael Walker, New York Times, 22 Sep. 2025
  • Patches of unintelligibility are nothing new in Pynchon, but usually a coherent world view gleams upward from the murk.
    Kathryn Schulz, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • His entirely rational explanation for doing so is in the game story.
    Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Sep. 2025
  • Mass death, yes, but rational mass death.
    Paul Kingsnorth, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Jodie Chavious, a board member of the Slow Food Sacramento chapter and owner of the Chavious Pop-Up pizza truck, said representing small farmers was vital to promoting the core tenets of Slow Food — being good, clean and fair.
    Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 27 Sep. 2025
  • Just for good measure, award-winning country superstars like Cody Johnson, Ashley McBryde and Lainey Wilson would be inclined to agree.
    Marcus K. Dowling, Nashville Tennessean, 27 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Within the self-censoring limits of the genre, Eisgruber has sensible things to say, maybe too sensible.
    Louis Menand, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Federal agencies like the CDC, the FDA and the HHS have been gutted of the bright minds who would normally pour through the mountains of research and compile sensible medical recommendations for the public.
    Rafael Perez, Oc Register, 25 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Valid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/valid. Accessed 28 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on valid

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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