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 Finally, the claimant failed to prove that the spendthrift provision in the trust, which is critical to the protection the trust provided, should be invalidated. Martin Shenkman, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025 The Supreme Court’s 1978 Bakke decision invalidated racial quotas at the University of California, but held that affirmative action was constitutional, and experts have long since acknowledged that racial diversity fosters a wider range of viewpoints. Jelani Cobb, New Yorker, 25 May 2025 By invalidating the rule, Republican senators stamped out one of California’s most ambitious environmental policies and, more broadly, challenged the state’s authority to enact vehicle standards to combat its notoriously unhealthy air quality. Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2025 The suit seeks to invalidate House Bill 1312, which the legislature passed earlier this month and Gov. Jared Polis signed Friday. Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 20 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for invalidate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for invalidate
Verb
  • The initiative has its critics, who fear that abolishing property taxes would leave local governments without sufficient funds to support crucial public services.
    Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 June 2025
  • The latter is known for his misogynistic statements, and has promised to follow through on Mr. Yoon’s commitment to abolish the Ministry of Gender Equality & Family.
    Yejin Gim, Christian Science Monitor, 2 June 2025
Verb
  • An effort to repeal the law completely did not advance the spring legislative session, while the vote for the delay came on the session’s last day.
    Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2025
  • The group, known as the L.A. Alliance for Tourism, Jobs and Progress, is hoping to persuade voters to repeal the ordinance.
    David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2025
Verb
  • Musk has faced fierce backlash over his drastic cuts to the government's budget, including canceling thousands of federal jobs, and the dismantling of entire agencies.
    Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 May 2025
  • The news came just days after the Trump administration canceled funding for Moderna to develop a vaccine against potential pandemic flu viruses, including the H5N1 bird flu, despite promising early study results.
    CBS News, CBS News, 31 May 2025
Verb
  • Adeyemi then had a penalty overturned in the 35th minute.
    Manuel Veth, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025
  • But the decision was overturned to a no-contest after Keyshawn tested positive for marijuana.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 8 June 2025
Verb
  • The decision to disburse these funds unfolded under circumstances rarely discussed in public due to a confidentiality arrangement that, as far as I’m concerned, has been nullified by the cancellations.
    Eric Kohn, HollywoodReporter, 30 May 2025
  • Judges might nullify the provision in new cases by setting bond at a token $1, but the administration surely would challenge that.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 27 May 2025
Verb
  • Doing so prevents on-ball defenders from being left behind the play trying to fight through a screen, but the approach necessitates defenders who can guard a variety of positions to avoid mismatches after switching.
    Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 6 June 2025
  • But the majority of Tributary buyers prefer a turnkey home, avoiding the time and effort required to build a custom residence.
    Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 6 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Invalidate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/invalidate. Accessed 14 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on invalidate

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