invalidate
Americanverb
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to render weak or ineffective, as an argument
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to take away the legal force or effectiveness of; annul, as a contract
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
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has invalidatedperfect 3rd person singular
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have invalidatedperfect
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are invalidatingprogressive
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have been invalidatingperfect progressive
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has been invalidatingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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is invalidatingprogressive 3rd person singular
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am invalidatingprogressive 1st person singular
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invalidatingparticiple
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invalidatessingular 3rd person
Past
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had invalidatedperfect
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was invalidatingprogressive singular
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were invalidatingprogressive plural
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had been invalidatingperfect progressive
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invalidatedsimple
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invalidatedparticiple
Future
Etymology
Origin of invalidate
Explanation
If administrators find out that students cheated on a test, the school might invalidate their class grades. To invalidate means to cancel something or make it void, as if it never happened. In invalidate you see the word valid which means true or correct. When you invalidate something you are making it less true, less official, or less correct. If you buy something that doesn't work properly and then try to fix it yourself, you invalidate the warranty. If you have a wacky theory that cars grow from trees, your teacher might invalidate your theory by taking you on a tour of an auto factory.
Vocabulary lists containing invalidate
Red Scarf Girl
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Vocabulary Video Contest (2013) - List 2
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Far from the Tree
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“In fact,” she said, “the judge gave us what we wanted most: Invalidate the EIR and halt all state work at the reserve.”
From Los Angeles Times • May 30, 2023
What men say I was will cool no cannon, dull no sword, Invalidate no truth.
From The Three Taverns by Robinson, Edwin Arlington
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.