INVALIDATE Synonyms: 79 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

invalidate

verb

(ˌ)in-ˈva-lə-ˌdāt

Definition of invalidate

as in to abolish

to put an end to by formal action those nations eventually invalidated their trade agreement

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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 His lawyers asked the High Court judge to invalidate the warrants under which those searches were conducted. — Danica Kirka, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026 On that last point, Taylor said he had been retained by a group of district residents to file a lawsuit that would seek to invalidate any move to single-member districts should the board choose to make that change. — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Oct. 2026 The error sparked calls to invalidate the ballot measure from political activist Jon Caldara, president of the Independence Institute, a libertarian think tank. — Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 7 Oct. 2026 In September 2025, a federal judge agreed and invalidated the rule, called the risk adjustment data validation, or RADV, rule. — Tara Bannow, STAT, 5 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for invalidate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for invalidate

Verb

Other New York literati, like Camille Paglia, expressed similar views and endorsed the organization’s goal of abolishing the age of consent.

— Jack Denton, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2026
The Book of Revelation tells us, sort of, the Antichrist will abolish financial freedom.

— David Gibson, The Verge, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of abolish

Verb

Yet those strengths may not be enough to overturn the structural advantages enjoyed by Moscow and Beijing, said experts.

— Lee Ying Shan,Matthew Tan, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026
Bolsonaro also called for amnesty for his father, Jair Bolsonaro, who is serving a 27-year prison sentence under house arrest after being found guilty of plotting a coup to overturn his defeat in the 2022 election.

— Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of overturn

Verb

Prop 42 and a second countermeasure, Proposition 41, could each nullify the billionaire tax if either receives more yes votes than Prop 40.

— Bilin Lin, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
Officials had also nullified 17 touchdowns, compared to just five through four weeks last season.

— Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of nullify

Browse Nearby Words

invalid

invalidate

invalidated

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“Invalidate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/invalidate. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of invalidate

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