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
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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invalidatesimple
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invalidatessimple
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have invalidatedperfect
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has invalidatedperfect
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am invalidatingprogressive
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are invalidatingprogressive
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is invalidatingprogressive
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have been invalidatingperfect progressive
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has been invalidatingperfect progressive
Past
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invalidatedsimple
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had invalidatedperfect
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was invalidatingprogressive
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were invalidatingprogressive
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had been invalidatingperfect progressive
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.
See Examples For:
If the IRS determines a prohibited transaction occurred, it could invalidate the IRA, resulting in extremely unfavorable tax consequences.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026
The California Office of Administrative Law green-lit the rules in February, and they were set to go into effect on April 1, but in March, the California Gaming Assn. filed a suit to invalidate them.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 9, 2026
"They hate me. But they cannot invalidate the information I give."
From BBC ● Jun. 28, 2026
Markets evolve quickly, and subsequent price action can strengthen, invalidate, or reshape even well-reasoned calls.
From Barron's ● Jun. 17, 2026
The half-broken mini blind that would surely invalidate their deposit if they ever moved out.
From "We'll Fly Away" by Bryan Bliss
The stop is quite clear with any close below the 200-day simple moving average at $245 invalidates the bullish thesis.
From Barron's ● Apr. 7, 2026
“It celebrates and beautifies the city in a way few other movies ever have,” says Anthony Cavalluzzi of Yorba Linda, adding, “Its absence completely invalidates the list.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 13, 2026
The 39-page ruling invalidates the Payday Lending Rule, which became effective in 2018.
From Washington Times ● Oct. 19, 2022
The ruling invalidates regulations issued previously by the national health agency demanding only a negative PCR test for foreign arrivals.
From BBC ● Dec. 11, 2021
The simplicity of the times in which these things happened, no doubt, very much invalidates the strength of the conclusions that naturally arise from them.
From Sketches of the Fair Sex, in All Parts of the World by Anonymous
In 2018 the Supreme Court invalidated the federal ban on sports betting.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 13, 2026
However, in each case, subtle errors were found that invalidated the arguments.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 6, 2026
The ruling invalidated a law spearheaded by environmental justice activists that barred new oil and gas extraction and required that all existing operations stop production within 20 years.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 23, 2026
The state Supreme Court invalidated a local referendum in Arlington in the 1950s after ruling voters had approved an unconstitutional measure.
From Barron's ● May 8, 2026
Are the reported radiocarbon dates really correct, and not invalidated by any of the numerous difficulties that can plague radiocarbon dating?
From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond
The term refers to a medical professional dismissing or invalidating health worries which can cause patients to doubt their pain and concerns.
From BBC ● Jul. 18, 2026
Despite the Supreme Court invalidating tariffs, the process for retailers to secure refunds, or for shoppers to receive them, remains unclear.
From Barron's ● Mar. 12, 2026
“For example, they may be trying to find a middle ground, perhaps invalidating the tariffs but limiting refunds to ‘prospective relief’ only, not to past tariffs collected.
From MarketWatch ● Jan. 14, 2026
Department of Veterans Affairs to build more than 2,500 units of housing on its West Los Angeles campus and invalidating a prestigious private school’s lease there.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 23, 2025
Thomas winced; Frypan had gone too far with that recommendation, almost invalidating his well-stated opinion of the whole mess.
From "The Maze Runner" by James Dashner
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.
