Negate — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /ni-ˈgāt/ ne·gate

Meaning & Definition of Negate

Negate (verb)

  1. to deny the existence or truth of
  2. to cause to be ineffective or invalid

Negate (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to declare not to be true

    "this evidence negates his claim that he was not at the scene of the crime"

    similar: contradict, deny, disaffirm, disallow, disavow, disclaim, disconfirm, disown, gainsay, negative, refute, reject, repudiate
    related: traverse, challenge, confute, disprove, rebut, disagree (with), dispute
    opposite: acknowledge, admit, allow, avow, concede, confirm, own
    near: accept, adopt, embrace, espouse, affirm, announce, assert, aver, claim, declare, maintain, profess, submit, authenticate, corroborate, substantiate, validate, verify

  2. to put an end to by formal action

    "Prohibition was established by the 18th amendment to the U.S. Constitution, only to be negated by the 21st amendment 13 years later"

    similar: abate, abolish, abrogate, annul, avoid, cancel, disannul, dissolve, invalidate, null, nullify, quash, repeal, rescind, roll back, strike down, vacate, void, do away with, set aside
    related: countermand, override, overrule, overturn, veto, abort, call, call off, drop, recall, retract, reverse, revoke, suspend, withdraw, ban, enjoin, forbid, outlaw, prohibit, disallow, dismiss, reject, annihilate, break down, eliminate, eradicate, erase, liquidate, remove, throw out, write off
    near: enact, lay down, legislate, establish, found, institute, formalize, legalize, legitimate, legitimize, validate, pass, ratify, allow, approve, authorize, clear, endorse, permit, sanction, warrant, command, decree, mandate, order, prescribe

  3. to think not to be true or real

    "you simply can't negate your feelings for someone, even if they don't feel the same way about you"

    similar: disbelieve, discredit
    related: deny, reject, repudiate, distrust, doubt, mistrust, suspect, debunk, disprove, refute, deride, pooh-pooh, scoff (at)
    opposite: accept, believe, credit, swallow
    near: trust

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Negate

The most common words with a similar meaning to Negate:

contradict, deny, disaffirm, disallow, disavow, disclaim, disconfirm, disown, gainsay, negative, refute, reject, repudiate, abate, abolish, abrogate, annul, avoid, cancel, disannul, dissolve, invalidate, null, nullify, quash, repeal, rescind, roll back, strike down, vacate, void, disbelieve, discredit, do away with, set aside

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Negate

Words with the opposite meaning of Negate:

acknowledge, admit, allow, avow, concede, confirm, own, accept, believe, credit, swallow

Related Words for Negate

traverse, challenge, confute, disprove, rebut, disagree (with), dispute, countermand, override, overrule, overturn, veto, abort, call, call off, drop, recall, retract, reverse, revoke, suspend, withdraw, ban, enjoin, forbid, outlaw, prohibit, dismiss, annihilate, break down

Near Antonyms of Negate

adopt, embrace, espouse, affirm, announce, assert, aver, claim, declare, maintain, profess, submit, authenticate, corroborate, substantiate, validate, verify, enact, lay down, legislate, establish, found, institute, formalize, legalize, legitimate, legitimize, pass, ratify, approve

Word Forms of Negate

Inflections: negated, negating

Derived words: negate (noun), negator (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Negate

borrowed from Latin negātus, past participle of negāre "to say (with the negative of a conjoined clause), deny, withhold, say no," delocutive derivative of nec "no, not" neglect:1

First known use: circa 1623

Frequently Asked Questions about Negate

What does "Negate" mean?

"Negate" means to deny the existence or truth of. As a verb, it is defined as: to deny the existence or truth of. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Negate"?

Other words for "Negate" include contradict, deny, disaffirm, disallow, disavow, disclaim, disconfirm and disown. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Negate" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Negate"?

There are 80 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Negate". Common alternatives include contradict, deny, disaffirm, disallow, disavow, disclaim, disconfirm, disown, gainsay and negative.

What is the opposite of "Negate"?

Antonyms of "Negate" include acknowledge, admit, allow, avow, concede, confirm, own and accept. Near antonyms include adopt, embrace, espouse and affirm.

How do you use "Negate" in a sentence?

Examples of "Negate" in a sentence: "this evidence negates his claim that he was not at the scene of the crime"; "Prohibition was established by the 18th amendment to the U.S. Constitution, only to be negated by the 21st amendment 13 years later"; "you simply can't negate your feelings for someone, even if they don't feel the same way about you".

Is "Negate" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Negate" is a verb.

How do you pronounce "Negate"?

"Negate" is pronounced /ni-ˈgāt/ and divided into syllables as ne·gate.

What is the origin of the word "Negate"?

"Negate" comes from borrowed from Latin negātus, past participle of negāre "to say (with the negative of a conjoined clause), deny, withhold, say no," delocutive derivative of nec "no, not" neglect:1. First known use: circa 1623.