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 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 Legal challenges continue to play out and could yet invalidate the map. — Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for invalidate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for invalidate

Verb

Some members sought to amend the resolution to call for reforming ICE rather than abolishing it.

— Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 13 Aug. 2026
Hong branded herself as a fighter for the working class, advocated for universal childcare and called to abolish Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

— Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of abolish

Verb

On Thursday, the Federal Communications Commission voted 2-1 to repeal the cap and replace it with a new standard of review.

— Savannah Sicurella, AJC.com, 6 Aug. 2026
The 2004 law change also said the FCC cannot repeal or modify the cap during its quadrennial reviews of media rules.

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of repeal

Verb

Rengifo came to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs in the second inning after Tatis challenged a strike call that was overturned for a walk.

— ABC News, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026
Ominously, the order pledges federal pressure, including from the Justice Department, to push states into overturning their own vaccine mandates.

— New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of overturn

Verb

Bosa gave Halton his approval after the fourth-round pick debuted Thursday night with four tackles, plus a sack that was nullified by a teammate’s holding penalty.

— Cam Inman, Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2026
The plaintiffs are asking a judge to nullify the letters, as well as to force the city to take down the list of almost 1 million properties, though the information is already in the public record.

— Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of nullify

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invalid

invalidate

invalidated

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“Invalidate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/invalidate. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of invalidate

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