invalidate

1 of 2

verb

in·​val·​i·​date (ˌ)in-ˈva-lə-ˌdāt How to pronounce invalidate (audio)
invalidated; invalidating; invalidates
Synonyms of invalidate

transitive verb

: to make invalid
especially : to weaken or destroy the cogency of
invalidation
(ˌ)in-ˌva-lə-ˈdā-shən How to pronounce invalidate (audio)
noun
invalidator
in-ˈva-lə-ˌdā-tər How to pronounce invalidate (audio)
noun

invalidation

2 of 2

noun

in·​val·​i·​da·​tion (ˌ)inˌvaləˈdāshən How to pronounce invalidation (audio)
ənˌv-
: the act or process of invalidating or the state of being invalidated

Synonyms of invalidate

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Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus
Choose the Right Synonym for invalidate

nullify, negate, annul, abrogate, invalidate mean to deprive of effective or continued existence.

nullify implies counteracting completely the force, effectiveness, or value of something.

a penalty nullified the touchdown

negate implies the destruction or canceling out of each of two things by the other.

the arguments negate each other

annul suggests making ineffective or nonexistent often by legal or official action.

the treaty annuls all previous agreements

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

a law to abrogate trading privileges

invalidate implies making something powerless or unacceptable by declaration of its logical or moral or legal unsoundness.

the court invalidated the statute

Examples of invalidate in a Sentence

Verb actions that will invalidate the contract The study invalidates earlier theories. factors that may invalidate the test results
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Verb
In its filing, Teamsters California asks a judge to invalidate the regulations and block the DMV from enforcing them. — Cecilio Padilla, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026 Proposition 41 would require audits on ballot measures proposing special taxes and invalidate any taxes that don’t comply with state spending limits, while Proposition 42 would ban new taxes on personal property, including on retirements assets. — Grace Hase, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2026 The Supreme Court of Virginia invalidated a statewide referendum approved by voters in April that would have drawn new districts favorable to Democrats. — Gregory S. Schneider, Washington Post, 4 Aug. 2026 Monday’s decision invalidates various provider mandates that the clinic owners argued were designed to scare and shame people out of terminating pregnancies. — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 4 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for invalidate

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1649, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of invalidate was in 1649

Rhymes for invalidate

See All Rhymes for invalidate

Browse Nearby Words

invalid
invalidate
invalidation
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Cite this Entry

“Invalidate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/invalidate. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

invalidate

verb
in·​val·​i·​date (ˈ)in-ˈval-ə-ˌdāt How to pronounce invalidate (audio)
: to weaken or destroy the effect of
evidence invalidating their claim
invalidation
(ˌ)in-ˌval-ə-ˈdā-shən How to pronounce invalidate (audio)
noun

Legal Definition

invalidate

transitive verb
in·​val·​i·​date in-ˈva-lə-ˌdāt How to pronounce invalidate (audio)
: to make or declare invalid
invalidation
in-ˌva-lə-ˈdā-shən How to pronounce invalidate (audio)
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on invalidate

Nglish: Translation of invalidate for Spanish Speakers

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