WordGarden.ioinvalidate
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /ɪnvˈælɪdˌeɪt/
US
- /ˌɪnˈvælɪˌdeɪt/
Meanings
Verb
to make something no longer valid, acceptable, or usable
to show that a claim, argument, or result is wrong or unsound
to make a document, decision, or legal act void
More meaningsFewer meanings
to dismiss or deny the legitimacy of someone's feelings or experience
to mark cached data, a token, or a software state as no longer current or usable
Beyond the definition
Imagine building a tall tower of blocks. If someone pulls out a key block at the bottom, the whole thing loses support and falls apart. To invalidate something means to show that it is wrong or to take away its force, value, or official standing. A judge might invalidate a contract if its terms are illegal, and scientists often try to show that a theory does not hold up under testing. You can also invalidate someone's feelings by brushing them aside. In simple terms, it means making something no longer accepted, sound, or true.
To invalidate means to take away something's validity, soundness, or legal force. It often means making something officially void or showing that an idea, claim, or argument is wrong. For example, a court may invalidate a contract or a law if it does not meet legal standards. In everyday reasoning, one strong piece of evidence can invalidate an earlier conclusion by showing that it does not stand up.
However, the word is not used only for laws and formal rules; it also matters in personal relationships. It can describe dismissing someone's feelings, experiences, or beliefs. If you tell a grieving friend, "You should not be sad," you are invalidating their feelings by treating their inner experience as if it does not count. This kind of response can be deeply hurtful and can damage trust.
The word is rooted in the Latin invalidus, where in- means "not" and validus means "strong." It helps to think of it as something losing its force or standing. A driver's license can be invalidated after serious traffic violations, a vote can be invalidated because of a rule violation, and a logical argument can be invalidated by clear counterevidence. Whether it is a legal document, a scientific theory, an argument, or someone's feelings, to invalidate is to treat it as no longer sound, acceptable, or worthy of being upheld, often with serious consequences.
Examples
- 1
Contract
One missing signature can invalidate the contract.
- 2
Warranty
Opening the laptop yourself may invalidate the warranty.
- 3
Constitutional law
The court invalidated the law because it conflicted with the constitution.
- 4
Research results
A mistake in the data invalidated the results of the experiment.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
New evidence
The new evidence invalidated his original explanation of what happened.
- 6
Emotional support
Try not to invalidate her feelings by telling her she is overreacting.
- Patterninvalidate someone's feelings
make that person feel their feelings are wrong or unimportant
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- invalidate a contract
- invalidate a claim
- invalidate an argument
- invalidate a result
Word family
- invalidation
- invalidated
Explore
- validity
- enforceability
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- invalidateverb
Forms
- invalidatedpast tenseverb
- invalidating-ing formverb
- invalidatesverb