NEGATE Synonyms: 135 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'negate' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of negate are abrogate , annul , invalidate , and nullify . While all these words mean "to deprive of effective or continued existence," negate implies the destruction or canceling out of each of two things by the other. // the arguments negate each other

Q: How do 'abrogate' and 'annul' relate to one another, in the sense of 'negate'?

Abrogate is like annul but more definitely implies a legal or official act. // a law to abrogate trading privileges

Q: When is it sensible to use 'annul' instead of 'negate'?

The words annul and negate can be used in similar contexts, but annul suggests making ineffective or nonexistent often by legal or official action. // the treaty annuls all previous agreements

Q: When could 'invalidate' be used to replace 'negate'?

The synonyms invalidate and negate are sometimes interchangeable, but invalidate implies making something powerless or unacceptable by declaration of its logical or moral or legal unsoundness. // the court invalidated the statute

Q: When might 'nullify' be a better fit than 'negate'?

In some situations, the words nullify and negate are roughly equivalent. However, nullify implies counteracting completely the force, effectiveness, or value of something. // a penalty nullified the touchdown

negate

verb

ni-ˈgāt

Definition of negate next

as in to deny

to declare not to be true this evidence negates his claim that he was not at the scene of the crime

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to abolish

to put an end to by formal action Prohibition was established by the 18th amendment to the U.S. Constitution, only to be negated by the 21st amendment 13 years later

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as in to discredit

to think not to be true or real you simply can't negate your feelings for someone, even if they don't feel the same way about you

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb negate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of negate are abrogate, annul, invalidate, and nullify. While all these words mean "to deprive of effective or continued existence," negate implies the destruction or canceling out of each of two things by the other.

the arguments negate each other

How do abrogate and annul relate to one another, in the sense of negate?

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

a law to abrogate trading privileges

When is it sensible to use annul instead of negate?

The words annul and negate can be used in similar contexts, but annul suggests making ineffective or nonexistent often by legal or official action.

the treaty annuls all previous agreements

When could invalidate be used to replace negate?

The synonyms invalidate and negate are sometimes interchangeable, but invalidate implies making something powerless or unacceptable by declaration of its logical or moral or legal unsoundness.

the court invalidated the statute

When might nullify be a better fit than negate?

In some situations, the words nullify and negate are roughly equivalent. However, 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 negate This does not negate the need for moving more freight across the country more efficiently. —

Caleb Jacobs, The Drive, 4 Feb. 2026 Campbell also claimed that an IRS lien against his assets superseded the charging orders, but the existence of an IRS lien did not negate the charging orders. —

Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026 The Longhorns’ defensive woes all but negate one of the best offenses in program history. —

Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 30 Jan. 2026 This does not negate the existence of hundreds of thousands of angry and disillusioned Mashhadis, but anger does not automatically translate into street mobilization. —

Davood Moradian, The Atlantic, 26 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for negate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for negate

Verb

Aljorna and Sosa-Celis denied assaulting the officer.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 14 Feb. 2026
Decades later, Faraci cooperated with Modrowski’s lawyer during the post-conviction proceedings and submitted two affidavits in 2019 and 2011 denying Modrowski was involved, court records show.

— Christy Gutowski, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026

Definition of deny

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nefarious

negate

negated

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“Negate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/negate. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.

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Last Updated: 16 Feb 2026 - Updated example sentences

Synonyms of negate

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