negate

[ni-geyt, neg-eyt]

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.

verb (used without object)

negated, negating 

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

   a pessimism that always negates.

negate

/ nɪˈɡeɪt /

verb

1. to make ineffective or void; nullify; invalidate

2. to deny or contradict

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of negate¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of negate¹

C17: from Latin negāre, from neg-, variant of nec not + aio I say

Example Sentences

Boy Kavalier thinks he owns him, negating all necessity for his subject’s approval.

From Salon

A tactic that negates numerical overloads is man-to-man marking across the pitch - and it is one Grimsby employed.

From BBC

“There’s a narrative that’s being placed on them, but they’re able to negate those narratives by what they themselves put out there on social media,” she said.

From Salon

However, critics say that the plan undermines the state’s voter-approved independent redistricting commission and that one power grab doesn’t negate another.

From Los Angeles Times

And though Blake Treinen stranded a runner at third in the seventh — thanks in no small part to a generous strike call against Manny Machado that negated a walk — more trouble arose in the eighth.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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