negate

American  

[ni-geyt, neg-eyt] / nɪˈgeɪt, ˈnɛg eɪt /

verb (used with object)

negated, negating

1. to deny the existence, evidence, or truth of.

   an investigation tending to negate any supernatural influences.

2. to nullify or cause to be ineffective.

   Progress on the study has been negated by the lack of funds.

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verb (used without object)

negated, negating

1. to be negative; bring or cause negative results.

   a pessimism that always negates.

negate British  

/ nɪˈɡeɪt /

verb

1. to make ineffective or void; nullify; invalidate

2. to deny or contradict

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Other Word Forms

• negater
  noun
• negator
  noun
• renegate
  verb (used with object)
• self-negating
  adjective
• unnegated
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of negate

First recorded in 1615–25; from Latin negātus “denied,” past participle of negāre “to deny, refuse,” from neg-, variant of nec “not”; see neglect

Explanation

If something neutralizes the effect of something else, then you can say the effect is negated. Hanging a disco ball from your living room ceiling negates the sleek modern effect created by the contemporary furniture. If something is proved false or untrue, it has been negated. The discovery of one dinosaur jaw negated the conventional wisdom that all dinosaurs were vegetarians, since the tooth structure proved that guy definitely ate meat. The verb negate can also mean to counteract or counterbalance — so a really strong serve can negate your other weaknesses on the tennis court.

Example Sentences

Pacers Starters’ Minutes Negate a Weak Bench The Miami Heat won 66 regular-season games, six more than any other team in the N.B.A.

From New York Times • Jun. 3, 2013

Related Words

• annihilate
• belie
• cancel out
• disallow
• disprove
• invalidate
• neutralize
• nullify
• rebut
• reverse
• undo
• vitiate
• void