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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 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 Among them is a law passed by the Kansas legislature which retroactively invalidated the driver’s licenses of trans people and prohibited them from using rest rooms that align with their gender identity. — Eyal Press, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026 The city extended the cutoff age to 35, for one year only, in 2011, to account for a judge’s decision to invalidate the entrance exam a year earlier. — John Annese, New York Daily News, 23 Sep. 2026 Those admissions would not, by themselves, invalidate the verdict. — Monu Bedi, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for invalidate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for invalidate

Verb

In Germany, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is also gaining ground and wants to abolish the license fee that finances public broadcasters ARD and ZDF.

— Leo Barraclough, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
Although California had technically abolished slavery in its 1849 constitution, no legal authority troubled Smith about his human property.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of abolish

Verb

The Greenwich Sentinel reported that at a recent forum, Democrat Jill Oberlander, candidate for the town’s 36th Senate District seat, said that the law should be amended or repealed, and stressed her support for community zoning authority.

— Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026
The Trades Council endorsed the campaign for repealing the law, according to Ballotpedia, while Schmidt spent heavily to defend it.

— Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of repeal

Verb

Classes, activities and athletic events across Bend-La Pine Schools are canceled tomorrow, the district announced.

— Phil Helsel, NBC news, 16 Oct. 2026
Ossoff last year also pressed Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin for canceling public health and environmental grants.

— Maydeen Merino, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of cancel

Verb

American norms about politics, science, education and law are being overturned, and artificial intelligence threatens further disruption.

— Maia Szalavitz, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Ventura County Superior Court Judge Kathryne Ann Stoltz rejected Luster's attempt to overturn his convictions but granted him a new sentencing hearing.

— Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of overturn

Verb

The committee is fighting the tax and backing other ballot measures that would nullify it, including a proposal to ban new taxes on financial assets and other personal property, excluding real estate.

— ABC News, ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026
Further complicating the matter is competition from other ballot measures that would nullify Prop 40.

— Jason Ma, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of nullify

Verb

Recently, A'ja Wilson charged aggressively toward a fan in the stands and avoided a suspension.

— Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026
The group chose roads that would keep them moving, avoiding excessive stop-start riding at traffic lights and intersections wherever possible.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of avoid

Browse Nearby Words

invalid

invalidate

invalidated

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Invalidate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/invalidate. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of invalidate

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

jilt

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes