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
His lawyers had asked the High Court judge to invalidate the warrants that allowed those searches. — ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026 His lawyers asked the High Court judge to invalidate the warrants under which those searches were conducted. — Danica Kirka, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026 On that last point, Taylor said he had been retained by a group of district residents to file a lawsuit that would seek to invalidate any move to single-member districts should the board choose to make that change. — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Oct. 2026 The error sparked calls to invalidate the ballot measure from political activist Jon Caldara, president of the Independence Institute, a libertarian think tank. — Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 7 Oct. 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
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Invalidate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/invalidate. Accessed 14 Oct. 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
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