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 next

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 Moore’s lawyers on Thursday filed a motion to quash his arrest warrant, hoping to invalidate it for the proceedings. —

Austin Meek, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2026 If discovered, the ticket will be invalidated, with remaining flight segments canceled or confiscated, including previously refundable tickets. —

Rachel Chang, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Jan. 2026 But Friday's decision also sided in part with state officials and upheld a separate directive to invalidate nearly 29,000 petitions collected for the marijuana initiative by out-of-state petition gatherers. —

CBS News, 20 Jan. 2026 One directive this week told supervisors to invalidate petitions collected by 25 petition collectors who’d had their registration revoked. —

Romy Ellenbogen, Miami Herald, 15 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for invalidate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for invalidate

Verb

Hindley, Catherine’s elder brother, is abolished entirely — his vices reassigned to the father.

— Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 11 Feb. 2026
Nexstar is seeking a waiver from the FCC from the 39% cap, while the agency is considering whether to raise that threshold or abolish it altogether.

— Ted Johnson, Deadline, 10 Feb. 2026

Definition of abolish

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 15 Feb. 2026.

Copy Citation

Last Updated: 15 Feb 2026 - Updated example sentences

Synonyms of invalidate

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on invalidate

More from Merriam-Webster

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the Day

vertiginous

Popular in Grammar & Usage

More Words You Always Have to Look Up

'Buck naked' or 'butt naked'?

What does 'etcetera' mean?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

What’s the difference between ‘cemetery’ and ‘graveyard’?

Popular in Wordplay

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek

Did Orange the Fruit or the Color Come First?

Why Is the Letter ‘Z’ Associated With Sleeping?

The Words of the Week - Feb. 13

Why do we call it 'ides of March'?

Popular

More Words You Always Have to Look Up

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek

Did Orange the Fruit or the Color Come First?

Games & Quizzes